Southwestern's historical connections to Georgetown's African-American community
In keeping with its normative culture as a predominantly white institution (PWI) for most of its existence, Southwestern's conception of its "town and gown" relationship to Georgetown did not include people of color.
From the 1940s to the 1960s, key White Southwestern students, faculty, and staff served as allies to African-Americans in the fight for Civil Rights, particularly in the realm of school desegregation.
When it comes to engaging the collective memory of the Civil Rights era in Georgetown--especially the fight to provide African Americans equal educational opportunities--Southwestern should remember the role played by its faculty, students, and staff, but should center the brave work of people like Harvey Miller and the young African-American students like Edward Clark, Paulette Taylor, and Chris Miller who put their bodies on the line to make it happen.
Remembering the Negro Fine Arts School
How should we remember this program that taught music lessons to local Black children when Southwestern and Georgetown were segregated?
A note about terminology: This entry is about race relations during the Civil RIghts Movement era at the height of the white supremacist system of Jim Crow segregation in the South, where racial discrimination was legal in many institutions, including Southwestern and Georgetown I.S.D. At this time, Black people in the U.S. were referred to and self-identified as “Negro” or “Colored.” When…
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Remembering Georgetown's African-American School, Marshall-Carver
The Marshall-Carver School was a crucial educational and social hub for African Americans who weren’t permitted to attend schools in GISD due to strict Jim Crow segregation laws.
The revelation that Georgetown used to have an all-Black school might come as a surprise to people new to the town, especially Southwestern students, but there was one, named Marshall-Carver School. The Marshall-Carver School educated African Americans who weren’t permitted to attend schools in…
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Remembering Harvey Miller’s Role in Integrating GISD
The memory of Harvey Miller, who played a pivotal role in integrating Georgetown Public Schools, is alive and well at Papa Frank's Hair Designs
Harvey Miller was a resident of the Georgetown community since his birth on November 4th, 1929. He lived in a segregated part of the town called “The Ridge,” where African Americans resided due to discrimination during the Jim Crow era. According to his oral history in 2008, most of his family…
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Who is Paulette Taylor?
Paulette Taylor, who has been a crucial player in many events that have linked Georgetown and Southwestern, now plays a major role in centering the African-American experience in the collective memory of Georgetown
Paulette Hikerson Taylor has been a member of the Georgetown community for nearly 78 years. She was delivered on August 8th, 1948 by Dr. James Dickey, then the only Black physician in Williamson County, who had an office in Taylor. Dr. Dickey delivered many babies whose mothers could not go to…
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Who was Ernest L. Clark?
Harmony in adversity: Remembering Clark's enduring impact on Southwestern.
In the storied history of Southwestern University, Ernest Louis Clark, Sr. (July 4, 1947 – June 3, 2023) stands out as a significant figure whose legacy extends beyond his personal accomplishments. His journey as the University's first Black student and graduate exemplifies courage, talent,…
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What was Southwestern’s role in desegregating Georgetown public schools?
More than eight years after the Supreme Court ruling on the 1954 Brown v Board of Education case, which called for desegregation in all public schools, the Georgetown school system remained segregated. While Georgetown Elementary, Junior High, and High School had secure buildings to house its White…
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