Michael Scott (Finding Aid)

Michael Scott

1949 - 2009

Favorite Color: Navy

Favorite Food: Gumbo

Favorite Time of Year: Spring

Favorite Vacation Spot: Rome

Interview Length: 89 minutes

Interview Date(s): March 12, 2004

Interview Location(s): Chicago, Illinois

Abstract

Michael Scott goes in depth about his mother's and father's backgrounds, as well as his family's overall history. He speaks about his blue eyes and where he may have inherited them. Then, he tells the story of how his parents met. Scott describes how his parents migrated to the North with hopes of employment on Chicago's West Side. He tells some of the other reasons why his parents decided to move to Chicago and what his parents were like as a young married couple living in the city. Scott then gives the names of his brother and sister. He begins to talk about his childhood and his network of family and friends. He talks about the houses in which he grew up and about his family dynamic. He tells some stories about specific instances and relationships he had during his youth. Michael Scott describes his personality during elementary school and how he first dealt with local gangs. Michael Scott gives an overview of gang activity on Chicago's West Side during his high school years. He also tells stories about specific run-ins he had with gang members and how he dealt with these situations. Scott talks about the Great Chicago Fire and another fire that happened three years after, which led to Chicago's first urban renewal problem. Michael Scott then lists the elementary and middle schools he attended. Then he talks about his religious affiliations. Scott describes specific memories from his childhood and makes reference to John F. Kennedy's assassination, the Civil Rights Movement and the social climate of the West Side of Chicago. Scott speaks about his involvement in athletics during high school and his competitive nature. He explains himself as 'metered and measured' as he describes his decision making process. Scott recalls two high school social circles, their specific styles of dress and their names: Gousters and Ivy Leaguers. Then, Scott talks of his high school mentors a Michael Scott talks about his experiences in attempting to start a career with the Chicago Police Department. After strangely failing his physical examination, and then eventually passing it on the next try, he decided to not take a position with the police department for the reason that he was already making a higher salary with the North Lawndale Economic Development Corporation. He then explains the influence Warner Saunders had on him in his decision to attend Xavier University of Louisiana. Scott describes summer trips he and his sister would make to Bogalusa, Louisiana to stay with family and describes the feelings of acceptance and love he received there. Then, Michael Scott talks about the differences between the West Side of Chicago and the campus scene at Xavier University in New Orleans. He explains how Xavier University's African American community didn't line up with his belief system and talks about why he chose to transfer to Fordham University. Scott goes in depth about his experiences i

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