James Dooley, 1972

File — Box: 1, Folder: 3

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Dooley was born in Marlington, Arkansas. He attended segregated schools throughout his childhood and adolescence, and notes that there was a real disadvantage in Black schools as opposed to White schools. He attended some college at Lank Smith College in Little Rock and later moved to Salt Lake City with some friends in the early 60s. He states that he liked Salt Lake because it lacked a lot of the environmental problems, crime, drugs, and other things that made Arkansas less enjoyable. He felt, however, that racism was just as prevalent here as it was in the South.

One of the things James addresses is that although the open competition touted in America is fair in theory, nothing is truly fair when African Americans are put at a disadvantage in terms of education. He notes that lack of African American population in general, and specifically lack of influential African Americans, limits the extent to which African Americans can challenge the LDS Church as well as how much political power they can hold in Utah. Dooley notes that it is not the norm for African Americans not to be encouraged to aspire to be influential in politics or the community. He attempts to fight this precedent in his own life by being highly involved in the community, and is a member of numerous committees. Dooley feels that much of the reduction in racism is due to the laws against discrimination and forced change, not due to a true philosophical change in the majority of people. He also believes that the majority of these anti-discrimination laws are at the mercy of legislators who find loopholes and ways to water them down and make them less advantageous. On many occasions throughout the interview he cites the need for African Americans to have more influence in the judicial and law-making process. Because they are left out of the law process, Dooley asserts, African Americans are more likely to have disregard for laws imposed upon them.

Dooley also discusses his dislike of what he feels is “phony” interaction with White people, which seems to be a common theme among those interviewed. They often feel that in southern states that their interaction, especially with White people, is more genuine and easier to take at face value. He feels that the racism in the south is less institutionalized and there is no fear of interaction with African Americans in southern states as there is in Salt Lake City. According to Dooley, some of the fears in Utah concerning African Americans seem to arise from the need to prevent White women from getting romantically involved with Black men. Audio CDs A0038_B-9_01, A0038_B-9_02.

Dates

1972

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.