Samuel W. Ledbetter, Jr., 1972

File — Box: 2, Folder: 4

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Samuel W Ledbetter, Jr. was born in Tupelo, Mississippi in 1913. He graduated from college and decided to come to Utah in 1945. He worked for a railroad shop and later for the government as a mail clerk. He says that most of his problems stemmed from economic issues as opposed to race issues, including finding a place to live. He states that he did not feel influenced by the LDS Church in any way. In 1945 or 1946, he saw a cross burned behind University Hospital by the KKK, but says he never felt especially threatened by them in Utah in spite of the fact that he was told that one of his co-workers in the railroad shop was a KKK member. Ledbetter was a member of the NAACP and worked with them in their efforts to encourage African Americans to vote.

Ledbetter majored in social sciences and before working at the railroad, he was a teacher. He believes that it is important for students to learn African American history. He dropped the profession because it did not pay well enough. He advises that young African Americans try to get an education in a field such as business or engineering where he believes there are more opportunities available. He says that there are many opportunities in Salt Lake City, and that’s why he stayed in the city. However, Ledbetter believes that there is more of a sense of community in the South, partly due to larger minority populations that he says give African Americans have a stronger sense of identity. He believes that the current generation of people, both minority and non-minority are beginning to have an “awakening” that he believes will reduce racism due to interaction in their lives, and states that racism is less prevalent now than it was when he moved. He says that when he moved to Salt Lake, the main recreational activities were going to church and having house parties. He says the only African American he knew who owned a business was a night club owner, and there was also an African American attorney.

At the time of interview, Mr. Ledbetter was an electrician for Kennecott, which had a union at the time, and was on welfare. He thinks that in order for things to improve, people, both Black and White, need to have open minds and learn about themselves, others, and their history. He has great confidence that America offers great opportunities if you are willing to take them. Audio CD A0038_B-21_01.

Dates

1972

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