Ray, Clarence
Description
INTRODUCTION ORAL HISTORIES OF Lubertha Johnson and Woodrow Wilson have helped fill in gaps in the history of black Nevadans in the southern part of the state. The narrative of Clarence Ray -- who first visited Las Vegas in 1922, came to stay in 1925, and has lived there for most of the time since then -- adds significant new information on this important topic. The main source of employment for the relatively small black population during the 1920s and early 1930s was the railroad, but a number were also in business. Blacks lived and operated their businesses in downtown Las Vegas, formerly the Clark Townsite, not in the present Westside, formerly the McWiliiams Townsite. Mr. Ray provides thumbnail sketches of many of the early residents, and is particularly informative about "Mammy" Pinkston, Mary Nettles, the Stevens family, and the Ensley family. Systematic racial discrimination against blacks developed in southern Nevada during the 1930s, and Mr. Ray providessome useful
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