Burrell, Eddie Howard, Jasmin

Description

Mr. Burrell was born in Turkey Creek (Liberty) in 1946. He discussed his experiences living in a segregated neighborhood and attending segregated schools. Burrell also discussed how who you knew or were affiliated with influenced your experiences during segregation. He mentioned some fights between white and Black children that occured during his childhood. Burrell was the first of his family to attend college. He was drafted into the army after dropping out of school to work following his sophomore year in college and served in Vietnam. Burrell descibed the lack of Black officers within the military structure despite a large and disproportionate amount of Black soldiers serving. He believed that it may have been attempt to "get rid" of Black folks. Burrell discussed the stigma that Vietnam veterans faced. He went back to school after leaving active duty. Burrell described benefitting from the Civil Rights Movement in terms of affirmative action in the workplace. He also described his experiences dealing with discrimination in the workplace and housing. Burrell worked as an engineer. He ultimately worked for and retired from NASA. Burrell along with his wife and others (Concerned Citizens for the Future) fought racist and discriminatory practices in the local schools that negatively effected his sons and other children.6 video recordings (1 hr., 25 min., 35 sec.) : sd., col. ; digital

Record Contributed By

TCU Mary Couts Burnett Library

Record Harvested From

The Portal to Texas History