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Oral history an important tool in capturing Jim Crow South, author says By
Shanna Nielsen Most likely, African-Americans living in the South in the early 20th Century need not have the term "Jim Crow" defined. Signs above doorways and drinking fountains read "Whites only" or "Colored," and there was discrimination in employment and housing. "Jim Crow" refers to all obstacles to equal status. Addressing professors and students, Jennifer Ritterhouse, assistant professor in the history department at Utah State University, made a presentation about her recent book, Remembering Jim Crow. The book, which has already hit 250 sales at www.amazon.com, is jam-packed with material from primary sources, most in the form of audio tapes from oral interviews. "I am constantly struck by the transcribed interviews," Ritterhouse said. As the audience looked on from their small desks, Ritterhouse played one such tape. A man, Stine George, was speaking: "It was said the white folks gassed our house and caused it to burn down and burn up two children. My sister never waked up; she was still in bed, but the boy got up and got as far as the door and just didn't make it out. It was very painful." Commenting on the value of oral history, Ritterhouse said there is a lot of dirty laundry from the Jim Crow South -- buried, but vivid in memories. "When you know you are representing someone's history, it's very important to be accurate. We arranged and nipped and tucked a bit," she said. "It was a collaborative, back and forth process." Ultimately, Ritterhouse said, "The essence of Remembering Jim Crow is to let informants talk and tell their stories."
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