Jeffrey L. Nance oral history interview, 1997 September 30
Description
Computer programmer Jeffrey Nance, a native of the Charlotte region, discusses his experiences attending Garinger High School during school integration in the early 1970s. Mr. Nance was finishing the eighth grade when the Supreme Court determined that busing to integrate students was constitutional in their decision on Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education. Mr. Nance's school boundary was redrawn and he was bused to an integrated junior high school across town. He then attended the formerly all-white Garinger High School beginning in his tenth grade year. He describes both black and white students as being uncomfortable interacting with each other because of little previous social contact. Mr. Nance describes conflict at Garinger High School related to integration, including problems with the school's grading scale, contested student council seats, and black and white student riots. He concludes by stating that the experience was difficult, but it taught him how to respect and interact with a different social group. In addition, he compares his education experience with his childrens' experiences, and offers that his children are reaping the benefits of the difficult integration process through their improved learning environment and their relationships with black friends.
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