Common Ground oral history and interview collection
Scope and Contents
Common Ground was formed in August 1995. The purpose of this grass-roots organization is to promote communication and understanding and improve relations among people of all races in Davidson. The following interviews and meeting records chronicle the work of Common Ground and the challenges they worked to overcome. To learn more about Common Ground please review the maunscript collection, DC056: Common Ground Records, 1995-2003.
The following updates to the scope & contents was written by Colby Katz, an NCCU graduate student, on 04/18/24
Version 1
Common Ground (1995-2003) was a grass-roots organization that aimed to promote communication and understanding and improve relations among people of all races in Davidson.
This oral history collection contains interviews conducted with men and women who lived in the town of Davidson and was recorded by the Common Ground organization. The recordings provide insight into the complexities of race relations and racism in Davidson, NC, and at Davidson College during the 20th century by addressing historical legacies, institutional dynamics and influence, socio-economic disparities, systemic racism, racial oppression, segregation, and discrimination.
Additionally, the interviewees reflect on community initiatives, town development, and the drastic changes to the landscape of downtown Davidson that they witnessed.
To learn more about Common Ground, please review the manuscript collection, DC056: Common Ground Records, 1995-2003
Version 2
Common Ground (1995-2003) was a grass-roots organization whose purpose was to promote communication and understanding and improve relations among people of all races in Davidson.
This collection of oral historical interviews, conducted by Common Ground, features accounts from individuals of various racial backgrounds (likey just white & Black) who resided in Davidson. Their stories offer perspectives on the intricate dynamics of race relations and racism within Davidson as well as Davidson College throughout the 20th century. The themes explored include historical legacies, institutional dynamics and influence, socio-economic disparities, racial oppression, segregation, implicit bias, intersectional discrimination, and discrimination. In addition, the interviewees offer reflective insight on now-defunct community initiatives, municipal development endeavors, and the notable transformations they witnessed in the landscape of downtown Davidson.
To learn more about Common Ground, please review the manuscript collection, DC056: Common Ground Records, 1995-2003
Dates
- Creation: 1997 - 2000
Creator
- Common Ground (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
Some interviews in this sub-group may be subject to access restrictions designed to protect sensitive content or copyright. Interviews that do not have permission forms on file, or have other applied restrictions must be accessed onsite. If you have any questions, or would like to schedule an appointment, please email archives@davidson.edu.
Conditions Governing Use
Materials in this sub-group may be protected by copyright and other rights. In some cases, researchers must seek permission from the interviewee or their next of kin for quotation, reproduction, or publication. If you have any questions, or would like to schedule an appointment, please email archives@davidson.edu.
Extent
7 items
Language
English
Arrangement
This sub-group is organized into two series. Series one contains oral history interviews with community members involved in Common Ground. Series two contains recordings of Common Ground meetings.
Subject
- Tapia, Brenda Howard, 1949-2020 (Person)
- Martin, David Grier, 1910-1974 (Class of 1932) (Person)
- Wertheimer, Loretta C. (Person)
- Norton, Kenneth (1928-2023) (Person)
- Driesell, Charles "Lefty" (Person)
- Cumming, Elizabeth "Betty" (Person)
Genre / Form
Geographic
Topical
- Ada Jenkins Center
- Ada Jenkins School
- African American families--North Carolina--Social conditions--20th century
- African American women teachers
- African American women--North Carolina--History--19th century
- African American women--Race identity
- African American women--Social conditions
- African American women--Social conditions--20th century
- African Americans -- Davidson, N.C.
- African Americans--Politics and government--20th century
- African Americans--Segregation
- African Americans--Segregation
- African Americans--Social conditions Bias, Racial
- Barber-Scotia College
- Bias, Racial
- Civil Rights Movement
- Civil rights movements--North Carolina--Durham--History--20th century
- Civil rights movements--North Carolina--History
- Community development -- North Carolina -- Davidson
- Community development -- North Carolina -- Davidson
- Community dynamics -- North Carolina -- Davidson
- Community dynamics--North Carolina--Davidson
- Community dynamics--North Carolina--Davidson
- Community leadership
- Davidson (N.C.) -- History
- Davidson (NC) - Organizations
- Davidson (NC) - Organizations
- Davidson (NC) --Churches
- Davidson College
- Davidson College -- Alumnae and alumni
- Davidson College Church
- Davidson College N.C.
- Davidson College Presbyterian Church (Davidson, N.C.)
- Davidson College Presbyterian Church (Davidson, N.C.)
- Davidson College--Integration
- Davidson Colored Elementary school
- Davidson Colored School
- Davidson Cotton Mill
- Davidson, N.C. -- Race relations
- Davidson-Cornelius Child Development Center
- Discrimination in education
- Discrimination in education -- North Carolina -- Davidson
- Economic disparities--North Carolina--Davidson
- Grassroots movements -- North Carolina
- Grassroots movements -- North Carolina
- Intersectionality
- Mill families
- Mill workers
- North Carolina--Race relations--History--19th century
- North Carolina--Race relations--History--19th century
- North Carolina--Race relations--History--20th century
- North Mecklenburg Child Development Association
- North Mecklenburg High School
- Norton Barber Shop
- Oppression, Racial
- Oral history
- Race discrimination
- Race relations -- North Carolina -- Davidson
- Race relations--History
- Regional disparities
- Regional economics
- School integration -- North Carolina -- Davidson
- School integration -- North Carolina -- Davidson
- School integration--North Carolina--History--20th century
- School integration--North Carolina--History--20th century
- School integration--United States
- School integration--United States
- Segregation
- Segregation in education
- Segregation in education--North Carolina--History--20th century
- Segregation in higher education
- Segregation in higher education--United States
- Segregation--North Carolina--Davidson
- Segregation--United States
- Social Conditions
- Social change
- Social history
- St. Alban's Episcopal Church
- Torrence-Lytle High School (Huntersville, N.C.)
- White Drug Company
Uniform Title
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Oral Histories & Interviews (RG19) Repository