Growing Up With Jim Crow

Chatting with Ben Watford, an 88 year old black man who grew up in rural North Carolina. Listen as Ben reveals his humble beginnings and how he overcame being 'dirt poor' as one of a family of fifteen.

Episodes

11 Retirement and Jim Crow

May 25, 2021 • 34 mins

Our final episode! Ben Watford talks about retiring back to NC. It's 1986 and Ben soon throws himself into numerous causes. no restful retirement and watching TV for this man...

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10 Integration and Jim Crow

May 11, 2021 • 23 mins

What did Ben get up to outside the classroom when he lived and worked on Long Island? A black man in the midst of a nearly all white community, Ben set about bringing some long overdue changes to his community and beyond. We find out about it in this episode.

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09 College, Teaching and Jim Crow

April 27, 2021 • 43 mins

Ben graduates high school and leaves Winton NC to take up a place at Howard University. But how does a poor black boy get himself through college? And how does he land a plum teaching job at a traditional all white school on Long Island?

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08 Childhood Stories and Jim Crow

March 27, 2021 • 22 mins

More stories from Ben Watford. He talks about growing up in rural NC under segregation in the 1930s and 40s.

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07 Police, KKK and Jim Crow

March 16, 2021 • 25 mins

Ben and I chat about his encounters with the police and the KKK. His mom would sit him and his brothers down regularly and give them "the talk". This was her warning about encounters with the police in and around Winton.

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06 "Light, Bright, and Damn Near White" and Jim Crow

February 28, 2021 • 26 mins

Ben and I chat about 'shade'. Back in Winton NC in the 1930s and 40s there were light skinned blacks, and there were dark skinned blacks. Discrimination? You betcha....

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05 Winton Folk and Jim Crow

February 22, 2021 • 30 mins

In the little town of Winton NC, where Ben Watford grew up and went to school, there were two local black people who were important to the town back in the mid 20th Century. Here we find out about Mrs. Katie Hart, librarian, and JE Reid, wealthy local businessman.

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04 Siblings and Jim Crow

February 14, 2021 • 25 mins

Ben Watford grew up in rural North Carolina in the 30s and 40s. He was one of 15 children. In this episode we find out about 3 of his siblings - Annie, Cleo and Alvin.

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03 Home, Food and Jim Crow

February 6, 2021 • 26 mins

Ben Watford grew up in rural NC in the 30s and 40s. He was one of 15 children. In this episode we find out about his home life with a particular focus on food. Being hungry was a way of life. From a road side somewhat poisonous plant comes a foodstuff if you're hungry enough... Poke sallet anyone?

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02 School Life and Jim Crow

February 1, 2021 • 27 mins

Ben Watford grew up in rural NC and experienced school in the Jim Crow segregation south of the 30s and 40s. He overcame his 'dirt poor' beginnings with high school graduation, but not without struggles and some humorous moments. Snake for the teacher!

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01 Growing Up With Jim Crow - introduction

January 28, 2021 • 1 min

This new podcast will put the spotlight on Ben Watford, an 88 year old black man who grew up in rural North Carolina in the 30s and 40s. Listen as Ben reveals his "dirt poor" beginnings (his description) as one of a family of 15. In the podcast Ben chats with fellow North Carolina resident and Englishman Craig Rosindale. Episodes will focus on Ben's early years. The first episode 'School Life is available on Monday February 1st o...

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