Oral History Interview with (Rev.) Eugene Wright

Rev. Eugene Wright, an African American man, discusses his memories of the Anacostia neighborhood growing up and the changes to the neighborhood, particularly around the 1940s when the Barry Farm dwellings were built on Nichols Avenue as well as Suitland Parkway. He talks about different occupations Black residents held at that time, such as construction workers and clerks; about the type of education available then (mostly public elementary schools and a few private Catholic schools); about how recreation was different for white and Black children in the neighborhood, such as in public parks and playgrounds; and about the community organizations that were active at that time. He mentions several churches - Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem Baptist Church, and Campbell AME Church. Rev. Wright recounts the racial tension and discrimination towards the Italian, Jewish, and African American residents in Anacostia by the police and white residents. Other topics Wright discusses include welfare, housing, transportation, the police force, and crime. Rev. Eugene Wright was interviewed on December 12, 1970, by an unnamed volunteer or staff member at the Anacostia Neighborhood Museum (now the Anacostia Community Museum). Digital audio files include white noise and static; interviewee can be heard clearly for most parts.