Summary:
Janice Ervin discusses her experience as a teacher in Indian Trails and the discrimination she faced. She notes this time as a happy time, and recalls lesson she learned as a teacher. Ervin notes the role of her mother shaping her decision to become a teacher. She instilled the need of education onto her two daughters. Ervin also talks about her siblings’ and their careers, her funding at the University of Michigan. Ervin discusses the boundaries of the Parkland neighborhood and notes it as being a nice neighborhood prior to the riot. She recalls the riot of 1968 (describing the period as a time of civil unrest), and notes her experiences demonstrating during the 1960s and 1970s. Ervin discusses organization of the rally and the damage after the riot. Ervin notes the impact the riot had on West Louisville, including the initial feelings of fear and the removal of many businesses in the area. Ervin discusses the Black Six and their trial. She recalls them being seen as heroes to the community. She provides her general feelings about Louisville after the riot (her desire to leave), as well as the perception of others (the West End being seen as undesirable). Ervin notes the after effect on Parkland today. (Interview index available.)
Topic(s):
Parkland (Louisville, Ky.), African Americans--Kentucky--Louisville, 1968 Parkland Uprising
