James Farmer Oral History

Margaret Mock experiences James Farmer as a colleague when she worked with him through the Mary Washington College Office of Public Information, but she also knew him as a teacher and as a friend. Mock discusses Farmer’s popularity as a professor, as well as his ongoing impact on the diversity of the Mary Washington Campus. She discusses the general feelings about Farmer’s time on campus, and the ways in which he is remembered on campus. Mock also talks about the role that the media played in Farmer’s time at Mary Washington, and his relationship with the local media in Fredericksburg and Richmond.

Discursive Table of Contents—Margaret Mock

00:00:00
Introduction of Margaret Mock, special projects coordinator in the Office of Events at the University of Mary Washington, formerly worked in the office of Public Information.
00:01:45
Description of Farmer’s first class at the college, promotion James Farmer to the local media, friendship with Farmer
00:04:41
Farmer’s reputation as a professor on campus, legacy within the Civil Rights Movement, fear of being forgotten, speaking engagements, building a friendship with Farmer, James Farmer’s home south of Fredericksburg
00:09:57
Preconceived notions about Farmer, his public image, diversity awareness on campus, controversy about Farmer not having a terminal degree, Farmer’s qualifications, legacy of Farmer, bust, Farmer’s contributions to the college, James Farmer Scholars, James Farmer Professorship in Human Rights
00:15:36
Increased awareness of diversity on campus, increased numbers of minorities applying to the school (beginning when James Farmer was a professor), Medal of Freedom, Farmer’s fear of being forgotten, Farmer’s autobiography,
00:19:50
How Farmer would want to be remembered, Farmer’s declining health at the end of his career, retirement, local media demands for interviews with Famer, going to Washington for TV interview with Farmer
00:25:18
Going to Farmer’s home, helping Farmer take care of his garden and clean his home, hope that he will be remembered, classes about James Farmer, debating, Farmer’s oratorical skills, media interest in Farmer
00:30:10
Farmer’s contributions to the Civil Rights Movement, speeches on campus, newspapers fond of Farmer, his time in Fredericksburg, closeness with family, relationship with his daughters