Reverend and Mrs. Halsie Owens, 1973
File — Box: 2, Folder: 12
Scope and Contents
Rev. Owens was born on May 4th, 1907, in Oklahoma. He went to school through the ninth grade and came to Utah in October of 1945. Mrs. Owens was born in Crescent, Oklahoma January 6th, 1909. Mrs. Owens attended school through ninth grade as well and came to Utah in 1953. The couple experienced a lot of problems with racism related to housing. When Rev. Owens first came to Utah, he struggled to find housing that wasn’t near the railroad tracks. When the couple moved, neighbors signed a petition trying to keep them out of the new neighborhood (although they both say that over time the neighbors grew to be friendly). They bought a ranch in North Ogden, where they ran into an absurd number of problems including disputes, property destruction by their neighbors, and attempted foreclosure of the ranch even after they had made all the payments. They were only able to deal with this after consulting numerous lawyers, and finally managed to get legal help in 1962. The last straw came when the neighbors put glass in their cow feed, causing many of the cows to die. They were forced to sell the ranch out of fear that someone might set fire to it while the couple was away.
The Owens experienced trouble finding jobs despite qualifications, and found that African Americans struggle to get jobs even if they are qualified for them. Mr. Owens found that he was only able to get a job in a dining car, and Mrs. Owens was unable even to find a job at the laundry. She eventually found work as a nurse and in emergency rooms in hospitals. At the time of the interview, it seemed she was working as a teacher. The couple stated that jobs were much more available when they lived in Oklahoma, and say that it has improved here but not enough. They also stated that there was favoritism toward Latter Day Saints. There was no recreation except the USO, which was dangerous because it was not well-lighted at night. The couple had not heard of the KKK being in Utah until after President Kennedy’s death. They were still members of the NAACP at the time of the interview, though they didn’t feel it was able to get much done.
Rev. and Mrs. Owens both believe that by getting an education, children can achieve better occupations and a higher quality of life. They cite the availability of libraries, something they didn’t have, as an asset to young people today and state that African Americans often have to pursue their own education because White people will not give them an adequate one. The couple disagrees on the subject of the past: Rev. Owens is frightened that young minorities will be so angry in learning about the past that they will simply hate White people and riot instead of working for a better future while Mrs. Owens believes that the past is a necessary tool that White people try to keep hidden, and that it is only just to make it available to young people so they can understand why the world is the way it is. They discuss discrimination, and how children often learn it from their parents. They state that most people are taking advantage of education, but that they need to know why they are seeking education and do it with intention in order for things to advance. Both believe the church is key to instilling good values in children.
Mrs. Owens talks about Utah being the best place for them because they can help more here than anywhere else. They don’t feel that the level of discrimination has shifted much from when they moved to Utah. They both say that houses were often bought through individuals because realtors would not show houses in nice areas to minorities. They had not heard about lynching in the state, but did know about an African American getting shot on a bus before they moved. When they moved, there was one African American doctor. They think they were the first Black-owned business in the area, and the Depression did not hit them very hard because they were on their farm at the time.
They both believe that many educated African Americans, especially doctors, leave Utah because of discrimination within work and without. They both agree that education is the key to a better life, but also express concern that the youngest generation has a sense of entitlement that is detrimental to making it through school. They state that the keys to advancement are cooperation and will power and that a hindrance is drug use. Audio CD A0038_B-22_01.
The Owens experienced trouble finding jobs despite qualifications, and found that African Americans struggle to get jobs even if they are qualified for them. Mr. Owens found that he was only able to get a job in a dining car, and Mrs. Owens was unable even to find a job at the laundry. She eventually found work as a nurse and in emergency rooms in hospitals. At the time of the interview, it seemed she was working as a teacher. The couple stated that jobs were much more available when they lived in Oklahoma, and say that it has improved here but not enough. They also stated that there was favoritism toward Latter Day Saints. There was no recreation except the USO, which was dangerous because it was not well-lighted at night. The couple had not heard of the KKK being in Utah until after President Kennedy’s death. They were still members of the NAACP at the time of the interview, though they didn’t feel it was able to get much done.
Rev. and Mrs. Owens both believe that by getting an education, children can achieve better occupations and a higher quality of life. They cite the availability of libraries, something they didn’t have, as an asset to young people today and state that African Americans often have to pursue their own education because White people will not give them an adequate one. The couple disagrees on the subject of the past: Rev. Owens is frightened that young minorities will be so angry in learning about the past that they will simply hate White people and riot instead of working for a better future while Mrs. Owens believes that the past is a necessary tool that White people try to keep hidden, and that it is only just to make it available to young people so they can understand why the world is the way it is. They discuss discrimination, and how children often learn it from their parents. They state that most people are taking advantage of education, but that they need to know why they are seeking education and do it with intention in order for things to advance. Both believe the church is key to instilling good values in children.
Mrs. Owens talks about Utah being the best place for them because they can help more here than anywhere else. They don’t feel that the level of discrimination has shifted much from when they moved to Utah. They both say that houses were often bought through individuals because realtors would not show houses in nice areas to minorities. They had not heard about lynching in the state, but did know about an African American getting shot on a bus before they moved. When they moved, there was one African American doctor. They think they were the first Black-owned business in the area, and the Depression did not hit them very hard because they were on their farm at the time.
They both believe that many educated African Americans, especially doctors, leave Utah because of discrimination within work and without. They both agree that education is the key to a better life, but also express concern that the youngest generation has a sense of entitlement that is detrimental to making it through school. They state that the keys to advancement are cooperation and will power and that a hindrance is drug use. Audio CD A0038_B-22_01.
Dates
- 1973
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.
Extent
From the Collection: 1 Linear Feet (2 Boxes)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Creator
- From the Collection: University of Utah. American West Center (Organization)
Repository Details
Part of the J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections Repository
Contact:
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863
special@library.utah.edu
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863
special@library.utah.edu