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still shot from the documentary, The Strange Demise of Jim Crow
Texas, in the early 1960s was a fast-growing city. White, self-made developers and oilmen dominated the city's business leadership. By 1960, Houston was the 7th largest city in the nation; its population had doubled every 20 years since 1900. Almost 25% of the city's population were African Americans, who lived as second-class citizens. More by custom than by law blacks were segregated within or barred from white establishments such as hotels, theaters, restaurants, public schools, colleges, and hospitals. Even ambulances were segregated † an ambulance designated for white patients would not transport an injured black citizen.
According to research by Houston Chronicle reporter Saul Friedman, the average income for blacks in the early 1960s was $3,386, barely half that for whites. The 1960 census showed that one out of nine whites held a professional or technical job while the rate for blacks was one out of 54. The majority of blacks worked in blue color jobs, as maids and as waiters. From 1959 to 1961, the years during which public accommodations were desegregated in Houston, one of the driving forces for the white businessmen involved in the process seemed to be primarily financial. Fear of loss of business, loss of national prestige, loss of revenue was a powerful motivator.we would be grateful to hear your personal stories, suggestions and comments