| Archive Description | Oral History - Richard Bolden
Richard Bolden’s oral history is a first-hand description of two major social changes: First, the movement of people from rural to urban communities – families left the farms and took jobs in towns and cities, changing to a completely different way of life. Younger generations do not realize how primitive the amenities were for rural homesteads – no electricity or running water, and no indoor plumbing. Life on the farm was hard, back-breaking work from sun up to sun down planting, picking and chopping cotton, planting and harvesting crops, feeding animals, cooking, cleaning, washing and ironing. Fun time was hunting and fishing and attending church activities.
Second, Mr. Bolden’s life has spanned the extraordinary period when segregation was replaced by an integrated society. It seems remarkable now that during Richard’s entire education, he never once attended classes with white students or had a white teacher. Richard’s parents were not legally permitted to vote for most of their lives. Up until the 1960’s people had to pay a “poll tax” in order to register to vote which was intended to keep poor people from voting. Richard also witnessed the election of a black US president – a proud moment in time. Laws and social customs have changed. This interview serves to illustrate how so much can change in the course of just one person’s lifetime. 34 Pages |
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Fort Bend County