Willie Mims Oral History Interview

The interview begins with a discussion about how Willie Mims and his family first came to Eugene, Oregon. When his family first moved, there were about three Black families living in Eugene, who formed a community. He explains that when he was growing up, movies were his favorite form of entertainment, and he loved attending the movie theatre in Eugene, although he mentions most movies did not represent Black Americans well. He missed the community of the South, but says that he faced less racism in Eugene. The interview ends with a discussion about the first job he ever had, which involved moving lumber for the local mill.

Willie Mims was born in Texas in 1936, but moved to Eugene, Oregon, when he was a young child. He attended Whitaker Elementary School and Eugene High School.

Please note that this interview includes remembrances of a culture of racism and the use of racist, derogatory language toward African Americans, including the N word.