Howard P. Rawlings (Finding Aid)

Howard P. Rawlings

1937 - 2003

Favorite Color: Green

Favorite Food: Fried Chicken

Favorite Time of Year: Spring

Favorite Vacation Spot: New York

Interview Length: 138 minutes

Interview Date(s): February 25, 2001

Interview Location(s): 3502 Sequoia Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland

Abstract

Howard Rawlings details his parents backgrounds and his childhood in Baltimore, Maryland. Rawlings grew up in the Edgar Allan Poe housing projects, and recalls his neighborhood as well. He also discusses his elementary and junior high school years in the Baltimore public school system. Legislator and housing advocate Howard Rawlings outlines his educational history and how his hopes to become an engineer were formed. Intreagued by math, Rawlings pursued it further while at Morgan State. A fellowship offer from the University of Wisconsin led him to leave Maryland for the first time. Ralwings also describes his courtship with his future wife, Nina. Educator and legislator, Howard Rawlings details how his heart led him to follow his true love back to Maryland after wroking on his PhD at the University of Wisconsin. After securing a teaching position at Morgans State and helping to establish a beachhead for a Black Studies department, rawlings found the college administration suddenly hostile to his efforts. As a math professor whose students were increasingly more successful, Rawlings was summarily fired. Only after a braod colaition of students protested the move was he reinstated for a single year. Rawlings then explains how that job loss put him on the path to politics. Legislator and educator, Howard Rawlings discusses issues confronting Maryland's black community including education, political representation. He also discusses major problems in the Baltimore public school system, the waste and rampant fraud. Educator and legislator, Howard Rawlings, details his political career in the Maryland State Legislature, the issues he fought for and some difficulties faced in and out of the House. rawlings describes the accomplishments of his children and then finally what he hopes to leave as a legacy.

28 Stories (See Ordered Story Set)