Newton, James, 2021 October 11

Dr. James Newton was hired in 1972 as one of the first Black faculty members at the University of Delaware and headed the Black American Studies program at the University. In the first part of this interview, he discusses the history of integration at the University of Delaware and desegregation on Main Street in Newark, his childhood, his career as a military police officer, his education, working for the Delaware Education Department training teachers, being hired at the University, the Scarpitti Report and discrimination on the UD campus, and starting the Black American Studies program.

In the second part of the interview, Newton talks more about the experience of African American students at the University of Delaware, his role as a mentor and advocate for his students, the social environment for Black students at UD, studying the experiences of African American students at the University, his educational philosophy, the creation of the Black American Studies program, the Wilmington Occupation in 1968, and the importance of documenting the Black experience on the University of Delaware campus.

Interviewed by Roger Horowitz on the University of Delaware campus. Part 1 running time is 1 hour, 25 minutes, 46 seconds. Part 2 running time is 1 hour, 12 minutes, 7 seconds. Total running time 2 hours, 37 minutes, 52 seconds.