Interview with Eddie Davis, July 26, 2011

Partial Transcript: Alight, my name is Amber Duke.

Segment Synopsis: Introduction to the interview (date and location) and to Mr. Davis, who was born in Louisville, Kentucky in 1950.

Partial Transcript: Alright. Do you want to talk about your educational background at all?

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Davis went to school in the West End, including Holy Cross and Flaget High School. He attended Jefferson County Community College and the University of Louisville, majoring in Fine Arts.

Partial Transcript: Do you want to talk about any - your professional life a little bit?

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Davis says most of his work has revolved around newspaper photography and free-lancing photography, though he does list a few other jobs he had with factories and business.

Partial Transcript: How did you first learn about race and racism?

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Davis remembers an incident with his parents when his father was stopped by a cop because he was with a white woman. He says his parents did not talk about political and social issues while he was growing up.

Partial Transcript: Where there people who were inspirational to you?

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Davis points out Carl and Ann Braden as people who inspired him while growing up. The center was right down from his school, so he was always aware of them.

Partial Transcript: What sort of- what was the first political or social justice issue that interested you?

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Davis was drafted into the Vietnam War while he was attending UofL. One of his first interactions with the Alliance as an adult was when he went to the Alliance for help to get out of the draft.

Partial Transcript: And so, can you remember back...

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Davis does not remember the exact time he transitioned into an active position with the Alliance. He talks about Anne Braden's role in his and other members involvement in the Alliance.

Partial Transcript: I mean, you name some of the different initiatives of the Alliance...

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Davis lists some of the issues the Alliance worked on, including police brutality, gay rights, fair housing, and more. He also talks about some of the current issues the Alliance is working on and how the Alliance is different from some of the other social justice groups.

Partial Transcript: You kind of have talked about how the Alliance has been an organization that has taken on...

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Davis says the Alliance focuses on strong coalition building. He talks about some of the times the Alliance has not been able to work with other social justice groups and the difference between the Alliance and other groups.

Partial Transcript: Launched out of the Alliance is...

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Davis talks about why they initiated Incorporating the City of West Louisville and why it has not lasted.

Partial Transcript: I think one of the things I have learned through these interviews...

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Davis says he was one of the photographers, but he points out Tom Moffet as the main photographer. He talks about some of his other projects, including being the Chair of the Black Caucus of the Kentucky Alliance. He also talks about why he likes the Alliance.

Partial Transcript: You said that you are the Chair of the Black Caucus of the Kentucky Alliance.

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Davis talks about the Black Caucus, how the Alliance makes room for differences in members backgrounds, and how the Alliance is issue-driven rather than race-driven.

Partial Transcript: Have you made friends while you have been organizing here over the years at the Alliance?

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Davis says the original members of the Alliance, such as Bob Cunningham, Howard Owens, Kirk Owens, and Tom Moffet, are more like an extended family. He talks about his relationship with Anne Braden.

Partial Transcript: How...I know that...a lot of people have talked about the struggles that the Alliance faced in the wake of her death.

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Davis believes there are people who want to keep the work going and there are a lot of volunteers, but there is not enough recruitment. He talks about some of the challenges of getting young people to stay involved, but says he is focused on keeping the Alliance together among different viewpoints.

Partial Transcript: You know, you talked about how you have been in this political war for so long...

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Davis talks about working a lot and how this affected his personal life.

Partial Transcript: As we start to come to a close, is there anything that you'd like to share that you haven't had the opportunity to talk about yet?

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Davis explains why he thinks the future of the Alliance is bright. He also talks about the role of the Carl Braden Memorial Center.

Partial Transcript: Is there anything else you want to add?

Segment Synopsis: As the interview comes to a close, they recall stories about Anne Braden.