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Gerald Martin, Oral history video interview for Sheff 25th anniversary (2014)

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@ Trinity College, Hartford, CT

Description

Gerald Martin, who was a childhood neighbor of Elizabeth Horton Sheff in the Charter Oak Terrace area of Hartford, describes his experience as one of the few African-American students at a predominantly white school. Later, he worked in the Hartford Public Schools for over 30 years, currently as the principal of Sarah J. Rawson elementary school, which was recently named by the State to receive a Lighthouse School grant under the latest Sheff settlement. He describes the struggle to end racial isolation experience and reflects on reasons why it is not further along. While most people agreed not to have forced bussing for Sheff, there needs to be active programs for change. He reflects on his personal experiences as one of the few African-American students in predominantly white schools in Hartford's South End, such as Bulkeley High School, and the racism he experienced. Also, he recalls facilitating exchanges between city and suburban students through the Human Relations Club at Weaver High School.
Type:
Video
Format:
Oral Histories
Contributors:
Carter, AlexMartin, Gerald
Rights:
Creative Commons BY-NC https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
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Record Contributed By

Trinity College, Hartford, CT

Record Harvested From

Connecticut Digital Archive