Fielding, Herbert U., December 7, 1999
Scope and Contents
The South Carolina Black Legislators Oral History Project contains nine oral histories conducted by Dr. Todd Moye, a postdoctoral fellow at the Avery Research Center, between 1999 and 2000. Participants discuss their family history, their interest in politics, accomplishments during their political careers, and thoughts about the state of South Carolina politics and their political legacies.
The oral histories are arranged alphabetically by last name at the file level. More information about the content of each oral history can be found in the abstract at the file level of each interview. The audio recordings for the oral histories with Rep. Brenda Lee and Sen. McKinley Washington Jr. are currently missing. There is a transcript for the interview with Rep. Lee, but there is no transcript for Sen. Washington Jr.
Dates
- Creation: December 7, 1999
Creator
- From the Collection: Avery Research Center (Organization)
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research. A cassette player is required to listen to the audiocassette tapes. A cassette player will be made available to researchers in our reading room. The Avery Research Center does not currently have the technology to read the floppy disks.
Full Extent
From the Collection: .209 linear feet (1 half Hollinger box, 7 audiocassette tapes, 6 floppy disks)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Abstract
Herbert Ulysses Fielding begins by discussing his family history, his education, and his military service. He then begins to talk about being one of the first Black legislators in South Carolina since Reconstruction after his election to the House in 1970 along with I. S. Leevy Johnson and Jim Felder. He also discusses his earlier run in 1952, the impact of the Waring decision that found discrimination in the Democratic primary unconstitutional, Esau Jenkins and the Citizens Committee, and the founding of the Political Action Committee of Charleston County and its impact on elections. He then discusses his early legislative priorities after being elected, African American funeral customs, the political power required to remove the Confederate Flag, and single-member districts. He concludes by discussing the importance of coalitions in achieving political change, the impact of Operation Lost Trust, and what he considers his political legacy.
The oral history is conducted by Dr. Todd Moye.
Repository Details
Part of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture Repository
125 Bull Street
Charleston South Carolina 29424 United States
843-953-7608
averyresearchcenter@cofc.edu