Grupper, Ira
Interviewer:
Mazik, Bailey
Transcription available:
no
Series:
Parkland Oral History Project
Interview Number(s):
2015_20_
Summary:
Professor Ira Grupper was born in New York City and lived there his whole childhood. He moved to Georgia and then Mississippi to participate in civil rights protests and organizations. He was jailed twice in Mississippi for his involvement and moved to Louisville in 1969 to work with the Bradens. He has lived in Louisville ever since and has held a couple of appointments in government: Human Relations Commission (1980-1986) and Metro Louisville Human Relations Commission (appointed by Mayor Fischer). He currently teaches at Bellarmine University and considers Louisville to be his home. Although he was not living in Louisville during the 1968 uprising he is well informed of the events and national climate of racial tensions during the time. He has a specific and firm view of Louisville as being a segregated city, then and now. He shares ideas for how the city can become more inclusive and integrated and briefly outlines the transformation of industry and business in the city. (Interview index and summary available.)
Topic(s):
Parkland (Louisville, Ky.), African Americans--Kentucky--Louisville, 1968 Parkland Uprising
