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Description
Charles Siler remembers his early life in Louisiana, including a penchant for drawing that began before the age of two, quitting the Boy Scouts when his troop made black Scouts walk behind the horses in a local parade, and picketing Louisiana's segregated state library as a senior in high school. He was eventually expelled from Southern University because of his activism. He joined the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was drafted in 1967 and served in the military in the Vietnam War. He continued his civil rights advocacy as he took a variety of positions at cultural institutions and began a career as a cartoonist. The interview closes with Siler's reflections on identity and the process of learning from those whom are ideologically different.
Full Transcript of Charles Siler's Oral History Interview
Transcribed Excerpt from Charles Siler's Oral History Interview
Source-Dependent Questions
- According to Charles Siler, how many attempts did it take Mrs. Williams before she was allowed to register to vote? Refer to the Voter Registration Literacy Test and Charles' interview. Describe the reasons why it might have taken Mrs. Williams so many attempts.
- What significance did registering to vote have for Mrs. Williams? Why do you think it was important for her to vote before she died?
- Why does Charles get upset when people tell them they're not going to vote?
Citation Information
Siler, Charles, E., "Charles Siler oral history interview conducted by David P. Cline in Dallas, Texas, 2013-05-10," 10 May 2013. Courtesy of Library of Congress