Ruth Ross, 1973
File — Box: 2, Folder: 14
Scope and Contents
Mrs. Ross was born in Salisbury, North Carolina. She attended high school there and then came to Utah in 1954. She made this decision because the climate in North Carolina was not conducive to her health and she felt Utah’s weather would be better for her. Additionally, she had a brother living in Utah at the time. Mrs. Ross said that she wanted to work as a waitress or a cook, but that those jobs were not available to her. At the time, the only work available to African American women was maid work. She also found that housing discrimination was common. She would often call and hear a property was available, only to be denied when she showed up because she was not White. Like others, she also experienced discrimination in theaters and in eating places.
Mrs. Ross ran for school board because she felt that teachers were disinterested in learning and more interested in keeping their reputations. She was also frustrated with the number of children placed in special education, which she often felt was due to teacher deficiencies rather than student deficiencies. She felt that these programs targeted minorities because the teacher did not feel they should spend the majority of their time on a minority student. She argued that instead of focusing on keeping the students who were already doing well ahead of the curve, teachers should focus on not leaving those who struggle behind. She also thinks that parents need to pay close attention to how their children are doing in school. She cites her father as being influential in teaching her values, one of which was that White society is extremely cutthroat. She sees this as being reflected in the current political system. She also learned a lot about enslavement from him, and relates some of these stories. She also talks about trying to determine her ancestry. She says that the NAACP was involved in voting procedures in Salt Lake. She does not agree with the LDS Church’s stance on African Americans, because she thinks Christians are supposed to believe everyone is equal, and she discusses this in length. She also mentions that members of that church don’t seem to think for themselves.
When talking about discrimination in jobs, she says that much of discrimination comes from minimum requirements that overvalue education and undervalue prior experience. She feels that students should focus on trying to become doctors, lawyers, and business people in order to increase their standing. By doing so, she said that they would avoid getting jobs where they are patronized but have no real opportunity for advancement. She says that counselors in Utah do not steer African American students in this direction. She says there were about twenty or so African American-owned businesses in Utah at the time of the interview. She states that not many African Americans end up staying in Utah after college graduation because they are looked down upon in jobs here.
Mrs. Ross says that only federal programs have opened up more jobs to African Americans, but that attitudes are beginning to shift, especially in the younger generation. She is hopeful for the future of African Americans because of this and says that housing is improving if you have the money.
She and the interviewer discuss low-cost housing being put up on 800 W, noting that it is not particularly low-cost nor is it very high quality housing. They also discuss drug use by the younger generation. Mrs. Ross thinks that this stems from rebelliousness, but also not having enough hardships to deal with and the subsequent feeling of entitlement and lack of responsibility. She also states that a problem with the youth is that they are not taught African American history. She did not remember much about the KKK being in Utah, but she did say that she thinks that religious racism that is experienced in Utah is the most dangerous kind. She thinks that young people are more open to make their own decisions now, which is an asset and she thinks there is hope for the future.
At the time of the interview, Mrs. Ross was an employment specialist also going to school. She says that she thinks there will only be progress when people start acting selflessly, not to get their names in the paper. She also mentions the issues she sees with Black men at the time, and how they are not being loyal to Black women, which she attributes to society’s projected image of what beauty is. She and the interviewer discuss what needs to be changed in the future, as well as a boutique Ross owned in Salt Lake and why she had to give it up, mentioning that many African American businesses are set up to fail.
Audio CDs A0038_B-27_01, A0038_B-27_02, A0038_B-28_01.
Mrs. Ross ran for school board because she felt that teachers were disinterested in learning and more interested in keeping their reputations. She was also frustrated with the number of children placed in special education, which she often felt was due to teacher deficiencies rather than student deficiencies. She felt that these programs targeted minorities because the teacher did not feel they should spend the majority of their time on a minority student. She argued that instead of focusing on keeping the students who were already doing well ahead of the curve, teachers should focus on not leaving those who struggle behind. She also thinks that parents need to pay close attention to how their children are doing in school. She cites her father as being influential in teaching her values, one of which was that White society is extremely cutthroat. She sees this as being reflected in the current political system. She also learned a lot about enslavement from him, and relates some of these stories. She also talks about trying to determine her ancestry. She says that the NAACP was involved in voting procedures in Salt Lake. She does not agree with the LDS Church’s stance on African Americans, because she thinks Christians are supposed to believe everyone is equal, and she discusses this in length. She also mentions that members of that church don’t seem to think for themselves.
When talking about discrimination in jobs, she says that much of discrimination comes from minimum requirements that overvalue education and undervalue prior experience. She feels that students should focus on trying to become doctors, lawyers, and business people in order to increase their standing. By doing so, she said that they would avoid getting jobs where they are patronized but have no real opportunity for advancement. She says that counselors in Utah do not steer African American students in this direction. She says there were about twenty or so African American-owned businesses in Utah at the time of the interview. She states that not many African Americans end up staying in Utah after college graduation because they are looked down upon in jobs here.
Mrs. Ross says that only federal programs have opened up more jobs to African Americans, but that attitudes are beginning to shift, especially in the younger generation. She is hopeful for the future of African Americans because of this and says that housing is improving if you have the money.
She and the interviewer discuss low-cost housing being put up on 800 W, noting that it is not particularly low-cost nor is it very high quality housing. They also discuss drug use by the younger generation. Mrs. Ross thinks that this stems from rebelliousness, but also not having enough hardships to deal with and the subsequent feeling of entitlement and lack of responsibility. She also states that a problem with the youth is that they are not taught African American history. She did not remember much about the KKK being in Utah, but she did say that she thinks that religious racism that is experienced in Utah is the most dangerous kind. She thinks that young people are more open to make their own decisions now, which is an asset and she thinks there is hope for the future.
At the time of the interview, Mrs. Ross was an employment specialist also going to school. She says that she thinks there will only be progress when people start acting selflessly, not to get their names in the paper. She also mentions the issues she sees with Black men at the time, and how they are not being loyal to Black women, which she attributes to society’s projected image of what beauty is. She and the interviewer discuss what needs to be changed in the future, as well as a boutique Ross owned in Salt Lake and why she had to give it up, mentioning that many African American businesses are set up to fail.
Audio CDs A0038_B-27_01, A0038_B-27_02, A0038_B-28_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