Session I, January 3, 1974
Alternate Format: Listen to the interview

Employment of Blacks in Racine,
Scope and Content Note: Hiring policies of various foundries. Names of Blacks working at foundries.

Explanation of Jenkins's Lists of Black Residents of Racine
Scope and Content Note: See document, “Racine Black Population, c.1930.” How he prepared lists, help he received, what they include. Discussion includes comments on number of Blacks in Racine, circa 1930.

Degree of Contact Among Blacks Within Racine
Scope and Content Note: Why Jenkins had unusually wide range of acquaintances.

Story Illustrating Black Self-Image,

Anecdote About Jenkins's Uncle, Who Deserted Wife
Scope and Content Note: Fled when Jenkins recognized him at train station.

Jenkins's Early Family Life
Scope and Content Note: Activities with parents, uncle. More explanation of why he had a wide range of acquaintances.

Residential Patterns of Racine Blacks
Scope and Content Note: General areas where Blacks lived. Identifies other families who, like Jenkins's, lived outside of Black neighborhoods.

Anecdote About Racine Woman Who Owned Property in Gary
Scope and Content Note: Took horse and buggy trip there circa 1922.

More Explanation of Lists; Long-Time Racine Residents
Scope and Content Note: Families in Racine before 1900. See document, “Racine Black Population, circa 1900.” “Fifth generation” Black residents of Racine.

Black Family Patterns,
Scope and Content Note: Many single people--”rounders,” prostitutes, gamblers. Average family size small because of this.

Black Migration to Racine--Why, Where From
Scope and Content Note: Blacks from South usually stopped in Chicago before reaching Racine. Racine considered good place to come--jobs available.

Further Explanation of Lists
Scope and Content Note: See document, “Racine Black Population, c.1930.” Number of children in families on list.

Comments on Logan Davis, Only Black Resident of Racine to Fight in American Civil War
Note: Incomplete story; end of tape. See 1/29/74 interview; 1:1, 0:35.

Further Explanation of Lists
Scope and Content Note: See document, “Racine Black Population, c.1930.” Number of children in families on list.

Changes in Family Patterns Among Racine Blacks
Scope and Content Note: Many single people came in during 1920s; during early 1930s influx of both single and married people, by mid-1930s many getting married.

No Conflict Between Settled Blacks and Newcomers,

Social Groupings, Habits
Scope and Content Note: Some Blacks, known as the “Four Hundred,” strove to live virtuously, be a moral elite; others participated in gambling, “house parties.” Nearly all went to church.

Churches in the Black Community
Scope and Content Note: Served as gathering places. Were segregated. Most Blacks went to Baptist or A.M.E. church. Splinter groups developed later.

Explanation of Jenkins's Written Notes
Note: See document, “Early Notables.”

Sports in Racine, (Boxing, Baseball)
Scope and Content Note: Discussion of individual athletes. Baseball team known as the “Colored Athletics.”

Integration in Racine,
Scope and Content Note: Sports teams, restaurants, saloons integrated; most churches segregated. Felt no discrimination.

Use of Word “Nigger”

Changes in Racial Relations in Racine
Scope and Content Note: Degree of integration at various times; reasons for changes.

No Black Ownership of Bars, Restaurants,
Scope and Content Note: Blacks could not get license to operate a tavern.

Entertainment, Social Life in Racine,
Note: See document, “What's for Entertainment.”

Availability, Manufacture of Whiskey in Racine During Prohibition
Scope and Content Note: Description of illegal operations. Ineffectiveness of government regulation. Involvement of Italians.

Sports in Racine (Baseball)
Scope and Content Note: More discussion of individual athletes. Most Blacks were switch hitters. Blacks motivated by competition with each other; knew they could beat Whites.

Sports in Racine, (Baseball and Fast-Pitch Softball)
Scope and Content Note: More discussion of individual athletes, including Jenkins himself, and of city teams. Colored Athletics played against White teams.

Sponsorship, Support for Black Teams
Scope and Content Note: Sources of money for uniforms; semi-pro ball.

Playing Baseball Against Waupun Prison Team
Scope and Content Note: Visiting team received free meal. Guards would bet on prison team, give prisoners special privileges if they won.

Gambling At Ball Games
Scope and Content Note: Commonly done.

Story of Ball Player From Racine Who Was Sentenced to Waupun Prison, Played Ball There

More on Semi-Pro Ball, Other Summer Athletics,

Russell Oswald, New York Prison Superintendent at Time of Attica
Note: On tape, incorrectly identified as Oswald Cullen.

Scope and Content Note: Jenkins had good relationship with “Ozzie” when he was director of parks in Racine. Surprised by his actions at Attica.

Athletics as a Route to Prominence in the Community; Black Leadership in
Scope and Content Note: Whites came to certain Blacks to find out what was happening in community; no leaders with strong base of support in Black community.

Mayors of Bronzeville; Problems of Discrimination
Scope and Content Note: “Mayor of Bronzeville” informally elected Black leader--response to problems of discrimination which grew during the 1930s. Discussion of Racine Black leaders; lack of educated Blacks.

Migration of Blacks to Racine,
Scope and Content Note: Origins of migrants, including Jenkins's family; reasons for migration to Racine.

Recruiting Blacks as Strikebreakers
Scope and Content Note: Recruited in South to work in North. Experiences of Jenkins's father.

Racial Relations in Beloit
Scope and Content Note: Relations embittered by early practices of recruiting Blacks as strikebreakers. Jenkins tells of being refused service in Beloit Rexall restaurant, circa 1935.

Discrimination in Janesville
Scope and Content Note: Particularly bad because many Southern Whites recruited to work in Janesville.

More on Recruiting Blacks as Strikebreakers in Beloit,
Scope and Content Note: Brought up from South in boxcars like cattle.

Comparison of Racial Relations in Beloit and Racine
Scope and Content Note: Much more conflict in Beloit; not bad in Racine until late 1930s.

Black Sports Teams
Scope and Content Note: See document, “Early Notables.” Sources of support for baseball and basketball teams. Basketball team also known as “Colored Athletics.” Basketball players more educated than others.

Educational Experiences of Racine Blacks
Scope and Content Note: In Jenkins's generation few completed high school.

Sports in the High Schools
Scope and Content Note: Discussion of Blacks who played at Racine high schools, including Jenkins.

More Discussion of Colored Athletics Basketball Team
Scope and Content Note: Transportation, ways of raising money (”house parties”).

More Discussion of How Jenkins Got to Know So Many People
Scope and Content Note: House near railroad, social center; Jenkins often out around the town.

Started Driving Car at Age Twelve
Scope and Content Note: Lied about age to get driver's license.

More on Basketball, Raising Money for Teams
Scope and Content Note: Competition among team members. Comparison of Racine team to Savoy Five, the team which became the Harlem Globetrotters. More on how Racine team raised money by having dances and parties and passing the hat at games.

Low-Status Occupations of Blacks; Distinctions Among Types of Workers
Scope and Content Note: During 1930s no Black professionals; Blacks did industrial or menial labor. Foundry workers made money but were not social and moral elite of Black community. Gamblers and prostitutes also made money, were patronized by foundry workers.

Gambling and Prostitution
Scope and Content Note: Racine considered good city for hustling because Blacks generally had steady employment, money. Jenkins's experiences in gambling during 1940s; description of games, size of stakes; publicized by word of mouth. Anecdote about a raid.

Use of Word “Nigger”
Scope and Content Note: Could be used in joking way by White who had grown up in Black community.

More on Gambling, Prostitution, Drinking,
Scope and Content Note: See document, “What's for Entertainment.” Clientele for Black prostitutes mainly White. “House rent parties,” popular type of activity, usually included gambling and prostitution as well as drinking.

Use of Drugs in Black Community
Scope and Content Note: Hard drugs not used in Racine until 1970s; social pressure against it in Black community. Much pot smoking in Milwaukee during 1930s--description of “hole-in-the-wall” nightclubs popular with musicians.

More on Gambling, Prostitution, Drinking
Scope and Content Note: Youngsters could go to house parties but not drink whiskey or gamble. Jenkins drank beer from age ten, but not whiskey. Generosity and genuineness of hookers. Many gamblers and prostitutes remained in Racine, often went into other occupations and became respected citizens.

Numbers Games; Other Forms of Gambling
Scope and Content Note: Numbers never established for any length of time in Racine--Blacks had enough money to play games with higher stakes.

Explanation of How “Georgia Skin” Card Game Is Played
Scope and Content Note: Anecdotes about size of stakes, ways to cheat.

Dice--Anecdotes About Good Players

Police and Gambling
Scope and Content Note: Police knew about gambling but did not make raids unless parties got too disorderly. No graft involved.

Comments of Willie Mann

Sammy Hicks; Vice and Wealth
Scope and Content Note: Owned several houses of prostitution, made quick money during 1930s, had important Whites as clients, but made foolish mistakes and had to leave town.

Wealth and Status in the Black Community; Black Doctors, Lawyers, Politicians
Scope and Content Note: No Black had much money to give in support of community causes in 1930s. First Black doctor, first Black lawyer came in late 1960s. No Black ownership of business or election to public office until 1960s. Names of Blacks who held political office. Until 1960s no Black held high-status position in Racine; foundry workers best paid.

Union Activities, [UAW]
Note: Incomplete story; end of tape

Scope and Content Note: How Jenkins got involved. Tried to protect Black rights in immediate post-war period when tight conditions threatened their jobs at the foundry where Jenkins worked and when management and workers were abusing the rights of Black workers recently brought in from Caribbean. Took a leading role in a sit-down strike and then gained power by helping eventually victorious faction in struggle for union leadership at his foundry.

Union Activities,
Scope and Content Note: More on how Jenkins became involved. Inspired by contacts with union men from Detroit who told him of struggle there. Somewhat difficult to get union activity started in foundries because workers treated rather well. Jenkins's union committee work.

Black Voting, Racine
Scope and Content Note: In immediate post-war period Jenkins, through union committee position, set up registration program for Blacks. Before Blacks did not bother to vote, although there was no overt attempt to prevent them from doing so.

Jenkins's Union Activities,
Scope and Content Note: Jenkins eventually held high offices in local UAW at Belle City Malleable and on local regional councils. Encouraged Blacks at other Racine factories to become involved in union activities.

UAW Foundry Council
Scope and Content Note: Jenkins eventually became president of regional council. Tried to encourage other Black to get on the council, although some abused their positions. Gives examples of Black union leaders who disgraced their position.

Union Movement--Entrenched Power
Scope and Content Note: Leaders protect each other, as police do. Lose touch with membership, as politicians do.

“Store-Front Niggers”
Scope and Content Note: Blacks have gained some status positions in Racine, but do not really exercise power or have a chance to learn administrative skills. South Side Development Corporation example--doing good work but essentially under White control. Blacks with good positions remain quiet for fear of losing their jobs.

S.C. Johnson Company--Sam Johnson
Scope and Content Note: Company has done a great deal for the community, although has not given Blacks leadership training. Sam Johnson is straightforward, direct.

Black Leadership in Present Racine
Scope and Content Note: What little leadership there is is mainly in hands of men who are relative newcomers to Racine.

Conflicts Within Black Community, Militancy
Scope and Content Note: Thinks moderate approach, as exhibited by lawyer and regent Ed Hales, proper for Racine, although “raised fist” might be right for other places such as Chicago. Critical of assumption of White leaders that Black leaders such as Jenkins can accurately report on the feelings of the entire Black community on a given issue.

Black Occupational Opportunities,
Scope and Content Note: Most Blacks laborers, domestics but two did become foremen in 1920s, one at tannery, one at foundry.

Black Ministers
Scope and Content Note: Story of Rev. Bass, a “White folk's nigger” whom Jenkins helped run out of town in 1950s. Other problems with ministers who put their own interests ahead of those of community.

Comments on Using Newspapers for Research

Little Violence in Black Community Prior to
Scope and Content Note: See document, “Misc. Notes on Racine.” Only four murders during 1920s and 1930s (enumerates). One suicide during that period and one since. No violence between Blacks and Whites prior to 1940 except fist fights between individuals. No guns or knives as later.

Ku Klux Klan
Scope and Content Note: Active in Racine during 1920s. Marched through city. Hung Black doll in Jenkins family cherry tree. Had large meetings, cross burnings, but no confrontations.

Conflict, Fighting in Racine of
Scope and Content Note: No widespread ethnic or racial conflicts. Some gang fights using fists and bricks, with allegiances determined by neighborhood of residence rather than ethnic background.

Discrimination Against Blacks,
Scope and Content Note: No ethnic group worse than any other although Italians happened to own taverns, therefore they more often discriminated.

Stealing by Blacks,
Scope and Content Note: Only two kids arrested for stealing during this period, only one served time. This began to change, along with other things, in 1940s.

Black Leadership--More on Mayor of Bronzeville; George Bray
Scope and Content Note: Tradition of mayor continued into 1940s. Achievements of George Bray, once Mayor of Bronzeville.

The “Hi-Lites”--Social Club,
Scope and Content Note: Description of club's annual social bash, a big event in Black community. Ties with the Four Hundred.

Jenkins's Achievements
Scope and Content Note: First to get integrated local union to take NAACP membership; president of Racine County AF of L-CIO Council; instigated establishment of Racine County blood bank.

Discussion of Clippings Album Kept by Mrs. Jenkins

Democrats's Decision to Put Up William Proxmire for Senate Seat in

Jenkins's Impressions of Gaylord Nelson, Proxmire
Scope and Content Note: Nelson less aggressive, but has “magnetic” personality.

School for Workers, Madison
Scope and Content Note: Jenkins attended for eight years during 1950s. Learned time-study techniques and received other training useful for union work.

UAW Educational Programs
Scope and Content Note: Racine took lead, had program before Detroit. Hugh Reichert brought in to teach, added to quality of city's labor movement.

Racine Labor Movement; Strikes at Case
Scope and Content Note: Racine developed effective labor movement, perhaps because of lessons learned from many strikes. Jenkins's involvement in Case strike.

Racial Attitudes of Unions; Jenkins's Union Activities
Scope and Content Note: Jenkins encountered some racial antagonism from union members, especially craft unions. Intra-union disputes. Anecdote about setting up discount prescription drug arrangement for union members. Unions formerly hindrance to Black advancement, began opening up with coming of industrial unions in 1930s and due to wartime prosperity. More on blood bank.

Decline of Union Power in Racine
Scope and Content Note: In recent years unions have taken less interest than previously in local politics, have less power. Union power at height in 1940s--had fourteen of eighteen aldermen; in 1974 had only three.

Discussion of Practical Details of the Interview

De Luca Murder ; Inter-Racial Tension
Note: For a fuller discussion of this incident see memo of 10/15/73 on interviewer's phone conversation with Jenkins, and related documents.

Scope and Content Note: White murdered by two Blacks. Angry White mob threatened to burn down house in Black community where alleged murderers had boarded. Threats of violence, but none occurred. Unique incident--nothing similar in Racine history.

More Discussion of Details of Interview

Comments on Jenkins's Son, a Graduate Student

End of Interview