Oral history with Mr. Andrew R. Carr

              Oral history with Mr. Andrew R. Carr
This oral history is provided through a cooperative project of University of Southern Mississippi Libraries and USM's Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage.
Funding provided by a National Leadership Grant for Libraries from the Institute for Museum and Library Services
The transcript is presented here for reference purposes only. Interviews in this collection are protected by copyright. PERMISSION TO PUBLISH MUST BE REQUESTED from the Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage. Please call ( 601) 266- 4574 for more information.
Biography
Mr. Andrew R. Carr was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, and raised on the family farm. He went off to school during World War II, attended the Naval Academy, and enlisted in the Navy. He returned to Clarksdale after twelve years away and spent the next ten years improving the family farm.
On his return to Clarksdale, Carr was surprised to see that the racial situation was much worse than he had previously remembered. In 1964 a biracial committee was formed to set up the first poverty program for Coahoma County, giving him opportunity to help ameliorate the situation. The program was known as Coahoma Opportunities, Inc. ( COI). Carr and another white man, Judge Harvey Ross, were appointed to the committee by Aaron Henry to fill two of the seats. When the white board members realized that they would not be able to control COI, they resigned and Carr was elected chairman. COI went on to develop a comprehensive program, offering such services as Head Start, legal aid, adult education, and retraining of farm workers. Many activities took place in community centers.
In addition to his service on the board of COI, Carr was involved in the integration of the Coahoma County schools. He also testified before a Senate subcommittee poverty program.
Table of Contents
I. Family, racial situation in Clarksdale in the mid- 1950s
II. Improving family farm, passage of Civil Rights Act of 1964, involvement in civil rights biracial advisory board, Coahoma Opportunities, Inc. ( COI), Aaron Henry, Judge Harvey Ross, Head Start
III. Council of Federated Organizations ( COFO), COFO workers, Jesse Epps, Southern Educational Recreation Association ( SERA)
IV. Goal of COI, Title III, adult education Carr's testimony before a Senate subcommittee, beginning of COI, Semmes Luckett chosen as chairman of COI
V. Resignation of white board members, reformation of board with Carr as chairman
VI. Economic situation of African Americans in Clarksdale in 1960s
VII. Master Judge Ormand Smith, order to integrate Coahoma County schools, Lee Academy
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