The 1950s Inner-city Black Communities Were Strong

The speaker is Robert Woodson. CEO and founder of The National Center for Neighborhood Enterprise. A lifelong worker on behalf of community development. I interviewed him in 1989 as part of my television series of the 1960s. Several people who I interviewed spoke about how the black communities functioned in the 1950s. I found him to be one of the most articulate. It affected him profoundly and he devoted his life to creating inner-city enterprises.

[SByrd-trty]

I’m 74 and black and can attest to what this guy is saying. We were poor but didn’t even know it. Take me back to yesteryear.

[Aisha_Davis]

Even though I was born in 1988, I am familiar with the Black America he speaks of. My parents held these values and taught them to myself and I have not abandoned them. Baby momma/baby daddy culture has destroyed traditional Black America.

[jimbarrofficial]

On sex: "Everyone bragged about it, nobody did it." That's the quote of the week.

[madchemist]

This generation was far poorer than we are now, but their communities were far safer. The difference is their family structures were largely intact and ours aren't. You cannot have a functioning community without men leading and mentoring their youth. A community without fathers will always crumble. No amount of money, or programs, or grants can take the place of an entire community where men are in the home. That is the ingredient missing from our communities today.

[nolessgifted]

The 70’s & 80’s, was when the drug epidemic began to burn through black communities. That epidemic destroyed black men and women, which led to the arrest, incarceration and death of a lot of black men and women. It caused the break up of the black family structure.

[hulkster]

I am 44 years old, in 2020. I grew up in a small town in Alabama in the 1980's, early 1990's. I managed to catch the tail end of the Black community that he speaks of. Those days are gone. So sad.

[tipstruckers]

Beautiful story. You can definitely tell the difference intellectually, linguisticly, and dutifulness of the generations of the 50s and 60s that had a strong nuclear family

[kenwilliamsvoice]

He literally speaks like my uncle. My black parents and uncles also grew up in 1950s black South Philadelphia Pa. My parents, especially my father LOVED the 50s as a black teenager. He loved the cars, clothes, doo wop and cool jazz music, the cowboy movies. The only thing he complained about the 50s was the lack of sex and how risky it was to get a girl pregnant.

I was born in 62' to young responsible, hardworking parents. Two sets of grandparents. Aunts that were ladies. Uncles that were hard working men, some worked on the railroads. My family had pride. I never once heard I was a victim or less than anyone! I was told as a little boy i could do anything i wanted. And i eventually did just that making myself well off by age 40.

By the 80s my family was hardly recognizable. In fact, i don't recognize black people at ALL today, . Especially disappointing are how relentless black men bitch and moan about everything! They're PROUD to be thought of as victims! I never once heard my father, grandfathers or uncles complain once. They had plenty to complain about, believe me.

It was instilled in me by example. "A man never complains or explains himself." "Be a man of action and few words"

What this video reminds me of is how history has been revised today about the 50s. People, especially young blacks, are brainwashed to believe the 1950s were only good times for WHITES. Its sickening the lies!

Closing in on my 57th birthday i don't even recognize the country i love. Feels like I'm living in a twilight zone! God help us!!

[XiangYu]

The fact that they served in the war and still couldn't be served at a restaurant is criminal. The fact that he could hold back his punches and put his energy towards peaceful revolution, speaks to a patience that I myself do not have. Good on this dude.

[kijihigh]

Wow what a powerful and incredible interview. I grew up in this era. It was amazingly wonderful. Everyone respected one another. There was so much support around. Black people were poor but we were “rich.” We had everything. We loved our teachers, neighbors, parents, churches, friends etc. We never saw drugs, violence, sex, bullying, cursing etc. Everyone respected everyone else. Peace was everywhere. You could travel anywhere and no one bothered you. These were the good old days.

[zelenplav]

Older Black men were responsible, talented, highly intelligent and well spoken with vocabulary and grammer and dressed nicely. Compared to now, what a difference. Social engineering.

[thekizerapproach]

My father always said integration is what destroyed the black community. I didn’t understand it until I really started listening to him. RIP Pop🙏🏾

[johnparadise]

5:12 “Integration was never our goal. We never saw integration as a solution to the problems. We were seeking desegregation. And I think confusion on that point has continued to erode the collective self-confidence of the black community today.”

[H.pylori]

Wow, I just heard my 1950s life pass before me. This man speaks the truth. I still say that all I want is to be treated equally. Not interested in "integrating." That either comes along with equality or it doesn't.

[jordanweber]

“There’s a very big difference between being poor and being broke” 🙏

[Hasiah-emyp]

My Mother talks about this! What the Black Community was like when she was a young child. My Mother stated YOU MUST be respectful toward your Elders! If Elders in the community caught you cursing, fighting, and/or stealing Elders would discipline you "literally;" and they inform your parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles and/your guardians and you were thoroughly disciplined, and you were disciplined by your parents, extended relatives; and/or guardians! My Mother played in "Liberty Park, " and my Mother describes it as a "Gold Mine!" My Mother's Maternal First Cousin played baseball in the "Big Park;" while my Mother and her friends enjoyed playing in the "Little Park." My Mother learned arts and crafts at the "Park House" and attended parties at the "Park House." My Mother's Maternal First Cousin Jesse whom played baseball in the "Big Park" stated parks upon Long Island, N.Y. were not constructed like "Liberty Park" in Jamaica, in the borough of Queens, N.Y. My Mother and her two sisters grew up in Jamaica; in the borough of Queens, N.Y. My Mother was skipped twice in school as a young child; she attended "Jamaica High School" in Queens, N.Y. at the age of twelve as a Freshman. My Mother also formed a "Social Club" with her friends. They had sweaters and jackets, and they gave dances and attended dances of some of the other "Social Clubs" in the neighborhood also. My Mother stated everyone looked out for one another. It was a genuine "Mixed Income" Black Community. There was a Dentist, an M.D., Teachers, a Brick Mason, Merchant Marines, an Attorney, Hair Dressers, Domestic Workers, Floor Buffers, Property Owners/Investors; etc. My Mother attended school with White Children and my Mother noticed they were NOT as intelligent as she was! Unfortunately the neighborhood drastically changed as the years went by. My Mother stated many of the children she grew up with married, and/or moved away. My Mother moved away also when she became an adult. "Liberty Park" my Mother's favorite childhood past time was merely a shell of what it once was honestly. Selah, Sister Hasiah 1863

[ridjdpoi]

Thank you David Hoffman. Another great video. Have a great day everyone.

[yahshuamuhammad]

I lived the experience you are talking about. You nailed our reality in a great manner. Thank you Sir.

[lvthtxusa]

My growing up in the 50s and 60s, I can easily identify with this man's experiences in a segregated community, educational environment, and military service....I would sew up my damaged tennis shoes by hand, and put cardboard inside of them...

[dberdes]

I have been following this gentleman for a few years now. Mr Woodson used to be a regular guest on the Greg Garrison show out of Indianapolis. Thank you for posting this excellent interview!