Interview with John Pearce

by ssmith8 ~ December 2nd, 2009. Filed under: Interviews, Uncategorized.

Download Interview with John Pearce

Summary

In this interview, John Pearce, director of the James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library, discusses his relationship with James Farmer, which began in the mid-1980’s when the two men shared a commute between Fredericksburg and Washington, D.C. It was Pearce who made the recommendation that Farmer join UMW as a professor. Having had the honor of reading over the transcript of Lay Bare the Heart and continuing a professional and personal friendship with Farmer, Pearce offers unique perspective on the life of James Farmer and how he feels the Civil Rights leader would like to be remembered.

Discursive Table of Contents

0:00 Meeting and learning about James Farmer, editing Lay Bare the Heart manuscript, Farmer’s youth and CORE.

7:25 Bringing Farmer to Mary Washington

10:30 Farmer on Campus, Farmer’s lectures and lecture

11:45 Personal Relationship with Farmer, Pullman Car Porter Film Premier in DC

13:35 Farmer’s view on economic inequality

14:15 Farmer as teacher, style and content.  Impact on students.  Relationship with students.

18:15 Faculty and students helping Farmer in his house

19:40 James Farmer Scholars Program

20:50 Medal of Freedom and Honorary Degree

23:15 Health Problems

24:00 Farmer speaking on campus and in the public forum

24:30 Lack of controversies on campus

25:30 Farmer’s views on economic issues

27:20 Farmer’s retirement and Mary Washington’s reactions and sentiments

28:15 Farmer’s legacy and black historic preservation today

35:00 How James Farmer raised racial awareness on campus. James Farmer’s change in style over time. Topics of conversation between faculty. Discussion of Mary Washington today.

41:15 New era of Civil Rights and racial awareness for economic equality. Question of celebrity and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

45:10 Question of historical prominence. How to raise awareness about James Farmer. Discussion of Lay Bare the Heart and possible documentary. Meeting Farmer and recommending him as a professor.

49: 30 What John Pearce learned from James Farmer. Experiences with Farmer on the bus.

53:40 Farmer in Lay Bare the Heart vs. everyday Farmer. Discussion of  history.

55:55 Closing statements and impressions of Farmer.

conducted by Jenna Kincaid and Sadie Smith

0:00 Meeting and learning about James Farmer, editing Lay Bare the Heart manuscript, Farmer’s youth and CORE.
7:25 Bringing Farmer to Mary Washington
10:30 Farmer on Campus, Farmer’s lectures and lecture
11:45 Personal Relationship with Farmer, Pullman Car Porter Film Premier in DC
13:35 Farmer’s view on economic inequality
14:15 Farmer as teacher, style and content.  Impact on students.  Relationship with students.

18:15 Faculty and students helping Farmer in his house

19:40 James Farmer Scholars Program
20:50 Medal of Freedom and Honorary Degree
23:15 Health Problems
24:00 Farmer speaking on campus and in the public forum
24:30 Lack of controversies on campus
25:30 Farmer’s views on economic issues
27:20 Farmer’s retirement and Mary Washington’s reactions and sentiments
28:15 Farmer’s legacy and black historic preservation today
35:00 How James Farmer raised racial awareness on campus. James Farmer’s change in style over time. Topics of conversation between faculty. Discussion of Mary Washington today.
41:15 New era of Civil Rights and racial awareness for economic equality. Question of celebrity and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
45:10 Question of historical prominence. How to raise awareness about James Farmer. Discussion of Lay Bare the Heart and possible documentary. Meeting Farmer and recommending him as a professor.
49: 30 What John Pearce learned from James Farmer. Experiences with Farmer on the bus.
53:40 Farmer in Lay Bare the Heart vs. everyday Farmer. Discussion of  history.
55:55 Closing statements and impressions of Farmer.
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