Royster, Eunice Baker, 2005 April 26

Part of Collection

Call Number: RU 1055, Series Accession 2008-A-001

Scope and Contents

Eunice Baker, born in New Haven, recalls the multicultural area of her neighborhood since 1920, sharing anecdotes of her family members and neighborhood friends. She mentions her parents' decision to come to America from the Caribbean island of Saint Kitts and Nevis, following the earlier immigration of her extended family members. She describes the ties and expansion of her U.S. extended family network as they all settled in the New Haven area. She shares anecdotes of playing with her childhood neighbors, many of whose families spoke no English. She discusses her later interest and involvement in social work, starting as an adolescent. She talks about family, friends, education, and church in her community, values that she believes created the sense of a common immigrant experience among culturally and economically diverse individuals and families. She discusses the effect of conflict on her family and community, particularly war and economic instability. She fondly recalls the recreation, music, and media that were popular during her childhood and adult life. She uses examples from her own life and those of various Civil Rights leaders to stress the importance of youth education then and today.

Interviewer: Jeon, Tinn and Brenner, Nicole

Length (min): 65

Dates

2005 April 26

Conditions Governing Access

As a preservation measure, original materials may not be used. Digital access copies must be provided for use. Contact Manuscripts and Archives at mssa.assist@yale.edu to request access