New Haven Oral History Project: Dr. Edward Joyner

Summary Description

Dr. Edward Joyner arrived in New Haven in 1968 and began teaching sociology and African-American history at Hillhouse high School in 1970. Joyner aligns himself with a crop of activist teachers who arrived in New Haven in the late 60s and early 70s. He talks about the student movement which sought to bring courses in African American history and literature into the Hillhouse curriculum and to hire teachers and counselors more in touch with the African-American experience in New Haven. He describes a great deal of generational tension among teachers at Hillhouse, between those older conservative teachers who opposed change, and younger leftists who supported the student movement. Joyner views the New Haven student movement as a rational, organized, grassroots attempt to create real change in the school system. He also talks about the founding of High School in the Community, and its effect on Hillhouse High School. Interviewer: Ludwig, Maren Length (min): 39

Category Tags

Education; Activism and Advocacy

New Haven Neighborhood

New Haven (All); Dixwell; Wooster Square

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