Charles Vert Willie (Finding Aid)

Charles Vert Willie

1927 -

Interview Length: 155 minutes

Interview Date(s): February 13, 2001

Interview Location(s): Cambridge, Massachusetts

Abstract

Charles Willie shares anecdotes of his family background, a family that rose from the ashes of slavery in Louisiana and Texas. He describes his childhood in Texas and his parents' professions as a Pullman Porter and schoolteacher. Willie examines the role his birth order played in shapping his personality and worldview. Charles Willie expands upon his childhood years and some of the challenges he faces in matriculating into college on his parents' limited financial budget for five children. Willie talks about his siblings, including his brothers' experiences in college. Willie then describes his own college experience at Morehouse College. Charles Willie details his collegiate years and how his mentor guided him into attaining a master's degree and Ph.D. He describes the politics of advancement in the academic field, and details his rapid rise at Syracuse University. He also mentions how Harvard University worked to bring him into its fold. Charles Willie discusses several pivotal events during his academic career where he was instrumental in seeing justice served. From his time as a vice president at Syracuse University, he forced the hand of the administration to hire a black assistant coach after all the black football team members were cut from the team for protesting. Willie also details his role in addressing the school desegregation problems in Boston, Massachusetts. Charles Willie details his sociological theory of complementarity, wherein he discusses the socioeconomic differences between poor whites and blacks and thier areas of commonality. The segment closes with Willie's reflections on his life and his legacy and several photos. Charles Willie shares more photographs from his life and professorial career.

66 Stories (See Ordered Story Set)