Session II, January 29, 1974
Alternate Format: Listen to the interview

Discussion of Details of Interview

Mrs. John Stewart, Perhaps Wealthiest Black Woman in Racine
Scope and Content Note: Daughter of Logan Davis, Black Civil War veteran. Had money in stocks, land. Got some from father. Both she and her husband worked and were frugal. Racine's “Davis Addition” named after Logan Davis, who owned property there.

Lake Ivanhoe
Scope and Content Note: Black community, resort area in Walworth County. Original residents from Kenosha, Racine, then some came from Chicago.

Discussion of Mr. Holland, Who Had Farm Near Lake Ivanhoe
Scope and Content Note: Black farmer who became well-to-do tire and implement dealer.

More on Lake Ivanhoe
Scope and Content Note: Pavillion used by Blacks from Kenosha, Racine, nearby areas for dancing. This may be how the area got to be known.

Brief Mention of Wisconsin's First Black Cop
Note: For correction of the information given in this segment of the tape, see interviewer's memo of 2/1/74 on phone conversation with Jenkins.

Scope and Content Note: From Kenosha.

More on Lake Ivanhoe
Scope and Content Note: Jenkins's memories of going there during 1920s. Retired railroad porters might have been among early permanent residents.

Wealth in Black Community
Scope and Content Note: In first third of century porters, post office employees, shoe shine and clean-up people seemed best able to make and accumulate modest wealth. Foundry workers in general had larger families, did not save money.

Brief Comments on West Racine
Scope and Content Note: Circa 1920s taboo to Blacks; known as “Kringleville”; Jenkins now lives there.

More on Wealth and Work in Black Community
Scope and Content Note: Domestic workers often received gifts from White employers. Anecdote about Jenkins's father-in-law who invented effective soap for janitorial work but never patented it.

More on Lake Ivanhoe
Scope and Content Note: Names people who had places there.

Mention of First Black Teacher in Kenosha
Scope and Content Note: Fair-skinned; perhaps thought to be White.

Lake Ivanhoe
Scope and Content Note: People did not start living there year round until 1950s.

First District Improvement Association,
Scope and Content Note: Political club to work for Black rights, modeled on Lynchburg Improvement Association. Promoted by Jenkins with help and encouragement of others including activist White lawyer with experience in civil rights activities in South.

Need for People to Lend Stature to Black Community
Scope and Content Note: Needed people for kids to look up to; no Black had much status in the larger community. to remedy this Jenkins would greet and give support to Black professionals who who decided to move into Racine. When Jenkins was in high school he hoped to be a postman because this seemed to be the best opportunity for Blacks. Jenkins explains how he got locked into foundry work.

Difficulties of Being on Relief During
Scope and Content Note: Experience of Jenkins's family.

Radical Activity in Racine--Communists, Industrial Unions
Scope and Content Note: Racine known as “Little Moscow” during 1930s because of communist influence. Communists had some success in Black community. White communist leaders tried to have Blacks pose as leaders. Organizers mainly from outside of Racine. Communists did help poor people meet their needs. CIO tried to organize Belle City Foundry, where Jenkins worked, in the 1930s. Jenkins and others in his shop joined AF of L molder's union, partly because of communist influence in CIO; switched into UAW later after it was “cleaned up.” Communist influence remained strong in Racine until late 1930's, appeared again later. Communist efforts during Civil Rights movement of 1950s. Discussion of other, Racine communists, one of whom went to Russia in mid-1930s and became disillusioned.

Postal Clerk as Man of High Status in Black Community,
Scope and Content Note: Postmen were among the few Blacks who had money, steady income during Depression.

Communist Influence in Racine; Grievances During
Scope and Content Note: Communists made headway in times of economic hardship. Their success aided by obvious inequities of existing system--county board members who were farmers let food rot in their fields while people went hungry. Also had success among Blacks bitter about discrimination. Further comments on hardships of the Depression.

Black Social Life, Communist Socializing with Blacks
Scope and Content Note: Few places to go; communists won support from Blacks by including them in their social activities. Anecdote about one Racine communist, a Dane, who invited Blacks over, let them dance with his daughters.

Changing Patterns of Racial Discrimination
Scope and Content Note: Trailer camps segregated, as were most taverns by late 1940s, early 1950s. Could go anywhere in 1920s. Discrimination began getting bad in 1930s, very bad by 1940s, stayed bad through 1950s until improved in 1960s.

Keeping Busy as Damper on Black Political Activity; Black Political Allegiances
Scope and Content Note: Communist influence less during 1940s because of pressures of war. Generally Racine Blacks have had little time for political activity because they have been busy working--unlike Chicago where many are off work, concentrated in large apartments. in Racine, Blacks more scattered. Had one voter registration drive during 1950s while many Blacks were concentrated in trailer camps. No overt attempts to stop Blacks from voting, but in Racine they have been generally inactive politically. Members of the Four Hundred were often Republican; Blacks in unionized industries more likely to be Democratic.

S.C. Johnson Company Hiring Policies
Scope and Content Note: During pre-Civil Rights era hired Blacks only for janitorial work.

Black Political Allegiances
Scope and Content Note: Varied somewhat with occupation.

Black Political Allegiances, continued
Scope and Content Note: General shift of Black support from Republicans to Democrats during Roosevelt era. Democrats only party to try to get out the Black vote, beginning with Jenkins's efforts in late 1940s. Description of various voter registration efforts.

First District Improvement Association--Black Political Involvement
Scope and Content Note: Democrats had often lost First District Congressional race by small margins. Jenkins felt if he could organize Black vote would make a difference in this race and in local elections. Tried to organize improvement association for this purpose. Many enthusiastic about idea but organization never “got off its feet.” Did not get enough political workers to do the organizing, especially in Kenosha, Beloit.

Vel Phillips, Black Democratic National Committee-Woman
Scope and Content Note: First District Improvement Association helped campaign for her. She turned out to be a disappointment after elected. Would not mingle with people, recognize political allies enough.

Lack of Effective Organizations in Racine Black Community

Struggle to Get Union Representative on United Fund Staff
Scope and Content Note: Succeeded while Jenkins was president of county AF of L-CIO.

AF of L-CIO Merger; Union Politics, Disputes
Scope and Content Note: “Shot-gun marriage.” Squabbles on local level over politics, money. Carpenters particularly hostile to Jenkins leadership, they were mainly Republican. Discussion of individuals involved in Racine union politics. Details of Jenkins's election as president of local. Role of ethnic background, type of union, political views in union members' attitudes toward Jenkins's leadership.

Building Trades Unions, Other Unions Hostile to Blacks
Scope and Content Note: Stories about several Blacks who could not get into building trades unions.

Jenkins's Experiences, Background
Scope and Content Note: Refused employment at machine shops because of race. Did various types of skilled work with father, as was common in South; father could not get in trades unions in Racine due to race. He was strong union man, however, due to mining experience in West Virginia. Father a “rounder,” worked on railroads and had many other jobs. Anecdote about father.

Incidents of Racial Prejudice During Jenkins's School Years
Scope and Content Note: Lost interest in scholarship to Ripon after assistant high school coach told him he would have to “stay in his place.” Many parents protested after high school football team elected Jenkins captain. Jenkins willing to defer but coach insisted he stand up for his rights, which he did. Could not eat with team in Beloit.

Anecdotes About Use of Word “Nigger”
Scope and Content Note: Fans at Janesville would say “get that nigger.” Jenkins would respond by roughing up opposing players. But Jenkins would say the same himself when playing against Blacks.

Racial Attitudes in Kenosha
Scope and Content Note: Bad, though not as bad as Beloit. Could get served at restaurant when passing through with a group in Kenosha, but not when alone or on a regular basis. Major employers did hire Blacks; small Black population.

Comments on Harold Mason, Black Journalist, PR Man
Scope and Content Note: From Kenosha. Started in television, now working for Milwaukee Journal. Had to lie about experience to get good jobs. Man-about-town; Jenkins's source of information on conditions in Kenosha.

More on Racial Attitudes in Kenosha, Racine; Employment in Racine
Scope and Content Note: Racine one of best cities. Names foundries in Racine--generally places where Blacks were likely to get work. Case began hiring large numbers of Blacks in 1940s because of war. Other jobs opened up for Blacks during 1940s.

Employment for Black Women in Racine
Scope and Content Note: Prior to war only jobs in housework, foundries. War opened some clerking jobs. First Black registered nurses in 1940s(one) and 1950s.

Impact of World War II on Black Community; Trailer Camps
Scope and Content Note: War opened up some jobs. Blacks organized to protect rights in fight over trailer camps(incomplete story).

Prejudice in the Unions; “The Janesville Ring”
Scope and Content Note: Only one Black working at Racine's Young Radiator Company during 1940s; due in part to union bias. Account of Jenkins's investigation of union discrimination in Chevrolet plant at Janesville. Sent by UAW central office. Found Janesville had a “ring” made up of newspaper, church, business people and the city's one Black resident; they worked to keep Blacks out of city.

More on Discrimination in Janesville,
Scope and Content Note: Continuation of story about how Blacks were kept out of Janesville. One of only Black families in Janesville--Davises--lived in White neighborhood, respected, active in White church. Protected their position by helping keep out other Blacks. How one other Black family got into Janesville. Examples of how Janesville papers tried to discredit Blacks. Blacks could patronize hotels, start businesses, even get haircut in White barbershop in Janesville, but could not live there. More on “Janesville Ring.” Earlier attempt to deal with problem through UAW; regional director's unwillingness to cooperate.

Adverse Effect of Jenkins's Independence on His Union Career
Scope and Content Note: Frankness during Janesville investigation might have hurt chances to get staff position. Also displeased union leadership by setting up discount programs for union members with King Optical Company, whose products union previously had boycotted. While on Foundry Council annoyed other leaders by complaining about irresponsible behavior, use of union funds by Black council leaders. Jenkins forced out of local union leadership position by central office.

Jenkins's Union Activities and Foundry Work
Scope and Content Note: Never had union staff position--always had to work at foundry as well as doing union work. Did many different jobs at foundry.

Foundry Safety Problems; Time-Studies; Grievances
Scope and Content Note: Changes in working conditions at Belle City Foundry where Jenkins worked for thirty years. Health hazards. Unions played major role in getting better conditions. Description of approach to safety problems. How time-studies were done at Jenkins's foundry. Jenkins's experience as time-study steward. Account of one time-study grievance and the way it was resolved (story completed on next side).

Foundry Work; Time-Studies; Grievances, continued
Scope and Content Note: End of time-study grievance story. Jenkins's relationship, as a union representative, with management. Anecdote about one grievance settlement for a worker's back pay.

Jenkins's Experiences in Union Politics
Scope and Content Note: Lost one election in local union due to racist campaign against him. in response refused to do time-study work for union, but relented out of concern for workers.

Account of Settlement of Time-Study Grievances
Scope and Content Note: Settlement of dispute over time rate for welding; other smaller grievances. Attempt of management to get around contract provisions.

Discrimination in Janesville, Other Towns
Scope and Content Note: Jenkins does not know of any affirmative response to his report on discrimination at Janesville Chevrolet plant. Further explanation of peculiarities of discrimination in Janesville. in ways seemed like southern towns which had sign at entrance, “Nigger Read and Run.” Yet Blacks could do things there they could not do in other cities--run business, get haircut, eat in restaurant. But had to be out of town at night, could not live in Janesville or, unless they had their own business, work there.

Getting a Haircut
Scope and Content Note: Racine had two Black barbers, one with shop, one with chair in basement. Many Racine Blacks went to Milwaukee for hair straightening. Uncertain if even now White barbers would give Black a haircut in Racine. Janesville strange exception to this.

Discrimination in Madison
Scope and Content Note: Blacks could go almost anywhere in Madison, but most lived in community off Washington Avenue.

Black Residential Patterns in Racine,
Scope and Content Note: Changes in extent of area where Blacks lived. Contacts among Blacks in different Racine communities. No strong organizational ties.

Statewide Contacts Among Blacks Through Church, Social Organizations
Scope and Content Note: Some contact through NAACP and church meetings, segregated chapters of social organizations such as Elks, Masons (Jenkins is in the predominantly White Scottish Rite Masons, most Blacks in Prince Hall).

Black Muslims
Scope and Content Note: Came into Racine circa 1960. Anecdote about Jenkins's first encounter with a Muslim. Jenkins attended several of their meetings. Description of meeting. Did not preach violence, but rhetoric encouraged hatred of Whites.

Comments on Racine Armenian Population
Scope and Content Note: Lived near Jenkins; hostile to Turks.

Discussion of Armenian Friend of Jenkins

Jenkins's Problems in Trying to Buy a House in Racine
Scope and Content Note: Turned down at many places because he was Black. Armenian friend offered to help him.

More on Armenian Friend
Scope and Content Note: Jovial, non-aggressive person, but extremely hostile to Turks.

Black Muslims
Scope and Content Note: Criticized for preaching hatred but are not as extreme as Armenians. Comment on Frazier-Ali fight. Jenkins decided not to join Muslims. They got most of their membership from younger people. Encouraged high standards of behavior. Members always dressed neatly, did not smoke or drink. Ali's conversion attracted many new members to sect. Many older people would not join because of their Christian beliefs.

Discussion of Miscellaneous Questions
Scope and Content Note: U.W. athlete, Gooch Jenkins, Blue's nephew. Suggestions as to sources for further study of Racine Black history.

Transportation in Racine; Black Ownership of Automobiles
Scope and Content Note: Names of some Blacks who owned cars during 1920s. Discussion of means of transportation within Racine, between cities.

Reaction to Joe McCarthy
Scope and Content Note: Some Blacks disliked him, most did not have strong reaction.

Reaction to Civil Rights Movement
Scope and Content Note: Less interest in Racine than in many other communities.

Discussion of 1967(?) Racine Riot
Scope and Content Note: Analysis of causes. Poorly handled by authorities. Actually minor incident, but mayor closed town down for the day.

Attitudes Toward Martin Luther King; Discussion of Racine's Black Ministers
Scope and Content Note: Racine had conservative Black population, liked King's approach. Blacks needed minister to get them together although Racine had some bad experiences with self important Black ministers.

Communists in Unions; Communist Influence in Racine
Scope and Content Note: Never got a permanent hold in Racine. Served the needed function of stimulating reforms, then lost what control they had.

Relations of Blacks with Various Ethnic Groups
Scope and Content Note: During early period [circa 1910?] conflicts between Blacks and Irish. Later, Blacks had some conflicts with Polish because they lived near each other. Danes rather isolated from Blacks by residence, but often the businesses which they owned would not hire Blacks. Jews were the most sympathetic. Owned junkyards, hired Blacks. Joke about relations of Jews and Blacks. Jenkins's father worked for Danes, had good relation with them. Generally little ethnic conflict. Similar in this way to Minneapolis.

End of Interview