Cofield, Curtis, 2005 March 23

Curtis Cofield came to New Haven in 1965 to serve as Pastor for the Immanuel Baptist Church, on Chapel Street. Cofield describes the challenges of being a pastor of a predominantly middle-class, African-American congregation in the midst of the Civil Rights movement. His congregation, he explains, did not expect him to be radical and Cofield took a moderate liberal stance on many issues. He discusses the intimidation he experienced from the Black Panthers and other more radical groups. He opposed the violence and destruction that he believed characterized their message. Cofield labored to bridge gaps in the community through inter-congregational collaboration. He talks a bit about the May Day demonstrationsand the attempts to improve racial relations in their aftermath. He also talks about the economic aspects of the Civil Rights movement.

Interviewer: Johnson, Emily

Length (min): 31