first interview

·         1. What is your name? Rhonda T. Owens

2. Where were you born? Bruce Ms.

3. Where did you grow up? Bruce Ms.  

  

4. What were your parents names and occupations? My Mothers name is Doris

5. Do you have any siblings? Yes or No, names? Yes I have four sisters and two brothers. I also have a lot of nieces and nephews that I am close to. We were all raised up together.

6. What was your life like growing up as a black girl in Bruce? Well I have nothing to compare it to. My Mother and Grandmother were strict and we had chores to do.  We had to go to school. Education was important to my Mom. We played and I was active in the school band and I was one of the first black cheerleaders.

7. Did you ever encounter racism? Explain? Maybe. I don’t think so. I know a lot of my relatives say they did, but I just sort of took over and felt that if I didn’t think there was a difference there wouldn’t be. When I moved up North I saw more discrimination then here in Bruce. I had bosses that made a difference between me and some white man or women, but not many and I usually put a stop to it myself. After they knew I wouldn’t stand for any of that mess we were good.

8. What privileges or setbacks do you feel that you experienced growing up a black female in the North/South? I had the same as anyone. I could go to school, college I just didn’t. I got married and moved up North, got a job, had some kids and then divorced and moved back home.

9. What, if anything, do you remember your parents telling you about race? My Mom and Grandmother felt that we were all God’s children and we were just as good as any white person. We had some white friends and they were welcome to come to my house and I went to theirs. Not much there wasn’t much time. We centered our social lives around school.

10. What did your parents tell you or instill in you regarding being a woman, specifically a black woman? That I was beautiful and just as good as anyone. I didn’t have to take no mess out of any man. No one had a right to touch me or hurt me.

11. Did you attend school? Yes or No, why or why not? Yes I graduated High School and have two years of college.

12. Talk a little bit about those days...I was one of the first black cheerleaders. We were all friends and had a lot of fun. When I went to college the same. I just had a good time and so did everyone else. The racial thing was just over. Yea some folks may have had a problem, but I didn’t.

13. What was it like in school for you as a black female? It was good. I had my choice of boyfriends. I was a good student and the teachers liked me. It was a good experience.

14. Did you graduate and attend college? Yes and I have some college. I was going to go back to school to become a teacher, but with the teacher lay-offs I changed my mind. I may go back sometime, but not now.

15. Did you get married? I got married. Lived with him for five years before I married him. Things were good until we got married. After we married he started drinking a lot more and running around on me. I made sure everything was in my name though and when I kicked him out he had nothing. I lived in the house for a while, and then I came back to Bruce. That man died about four years ago. I didn’t go to the funeral. I don’t think I’ll ever get married again. I have had my chances, but I like my independence. I just don’t like being told what to do.

16. Did you have any children? I have three daughters. One set of twins. They are really something. My first daughter was born when I was barely twenty. I wasn’t married. The twins were born up North and I was married. I wouldn’t change anything. Didn’t need their Daddies. I made it on my own. My oldest girl had two boys without a Daddy. She doesn’t want to support that man. He doesn’t come around much to see the boys anyway.

17. I have worked in different jobs. I was the night manager in a Department store up North. Here in Bruce I’m a Teacher’s aide. I really love it. Those kids just get to me. I don’t give them much slack and they know I won’t take any of their mess, I’ll go tell their parents and grandparents. They don’t mess with me much.  We love each other though. I really love my job. Doesn’t pay much, but I do ok.

18. I don’t know what to say about being a black woman. That is who I am. I don’t have anything to compare it with. I like me and if anyone doesn’t like me too bad. I don’t take much off of anyone so they learn early to take me as I am. I don’t pay any attention to the race thing. I go to church and Jesus tells us to love everyone and so I do. I have always had white friends and they treat me the same. What do you think Nancy? Do you see me as a black women or just Rhonda? (my answer Rhonda)

19.  What type of relationship do you have with black men? I’ve always had a lot of men to choose from. White men and black men. I have a man in prison that I like a lot. He wants to marry me when he gets out. Don’t want any dead beats. I am not going to work my butt off for no man. My ex-husband, like I said, was good to me until I married him. It was like the paper made a difference to him. He began to take me for granted. We were friends when he died,  but I don’t really miss him.

20. What do you think is the role of both black men and women in relationships and inside of the home should be? I come from a home where my Mother and Grandmother ruled. The men were in the distance. For me I don’t need a man. I think that if I were younger and thought there was a good man around I would want one. There are so many men on drugs and liquor. Don’t see many men having anything much to do with their children. I don’t see anything much different with the white family. It seems that they are both going to hell! So many of my students are hurting because of their family life. Deadbeat Dads and Moms too. They either think that their children can’t do any wrong or they just don’t give a damn.

21. What do you think about people dating outside of their race? Black men marrying white women and black women marrying white men? It doesn’t bother me. This is 2011! Who gives a damn? If you find happiness then that is all that matters. There are so many mixed families now that the children don’t suffer as much as they used to.

22. What issues do you think most affect black Americans today? The economy and jobs. If we don’t get a handle on this issue we are going to be in worse trouble than we already are. I don’t see  any difference with the hiring of blacks and whites in the job market. It’s the same to me. I know whites who pick up garbage and I know blacks who are Doctors.