Tiranoff, Michael

Abstract

The Borowski interview discusses women’s roles in the workplace and unfair business practices that lead to Borowski trying to form a union. There is a good description of summertime activities involving Borowski and her mother, including oyster shucking in Biloxi, Mississippi; packing tomatoes; picking strawberries; and husking corn. Borowski’s Polish heritage is also detailed.

Abstract The DeVaughn interview focuses mainly on the activities of the German United Evangelical Church, including the Strawberry Festival; Sunday School Picnic; sour-beef dinners; Pastors Batz, Schaeffer, Lehmann, and Rasche; the church’s “poor cupboard;” the Sunday school burnt down the year she was confirmed; burning the mortgage in 1961; and fund raising activities. She discusses changes in the church over the years (hymns have changed, lower attendance, older people are more loyal). She also...

Abstract

The Flynn interview provides good information about working at Bethlehem Steel. He discusses the formation of a union and how it affected the company, how people of different ethnicities and backgrounds got along, and filing grievances for more money. He recalls what Highlandtown was like in the 1930s (clean, mixed ethnicities). He discusses the Great Depression from a political point of view (Hoover is to blame), and compares being laid off in the 1970s to the Great Depression.

Abstract The Foley interview is a good source of information about how Germans came to settle and work in Highlandtown (Germans were industrial people, Baltimore was an industrial town). He discusses being German in America (German clubs and societies would hold “German Day” at an amusement park, but his mother wouldn’t teach him German) and prejudice (German workers were moved inland for fear of sabotage). There is some discussion of Prohibition and breweries in the area, the intermingling of...

Abstract Mr. Griffin provides substantial information about life in Canton, specifically on topics such as race relations and his employment experiences and union activities at Crown, Cork and Seal. He speaks in great detail about the discrimination towards blacks he witnessed growing up in Canton, as well as race relations at his job, providing many personal stories. As a member of the Union of Amalgamated Lithographers of America Union, he was involved in two strikes in 1953 and 1963, and...

Abstract The Lee interview describes the difference between Finns immigrating before World War I and after World War II. She talks about ethnic groups interacting with one another in high school with no problem, but some groups facing difficulty obtaining work after graduation due to discrimination. Formation of the CIO and the Steelworkers union is described, as well as why unions were necessary. She speaks of proposed freeway unifying the neighborhood. She also explains the differences between...

Abstract

The O’Connor interview explores societal expectations, namely that young men were expected to pursue a Blue Collar lifestyle. Historical events like the threat of Communism and the Vietnam War are discussed. Considerable time is spent on race relations with blacks, including rallies in Patterson Park started by Nazi’s to provoke Jews and blacks, riots in Little Italy, integration, and blockbusting.

Abstract

The Pinter interview describes Finnish customs (putting on plays) and identity (Finns were “clannish”) in America. The Finnish Hall as a center of activity is discussed, as well as ethnic togetherness with the Czech’s, Lithuanians, and Russians. There is good information regarding the Great Depression and Hoovervilles in Highlandtown. The value of worker’s unions and how they were affected by McCarthyism are discussed, as well as Civil Rights movement and civic associations.

Abstract The Podles interview is a good source of information for the plight of the Polish in Baltimore, and the role of working Poles in American society (oyster shuckers, farming, packing houses). He discusses his childhood (collecting wood for stove, parents insisted he learn to read and write, wasn’t forced to work) and his Polish heritage (family would make pork and sauerkraut from scratch, learned to speak fluent Polish). He mentions the Great Depression, because his mother couldn’t afford to...

Abstract The Slechta interview provides details about living conditions in Highlandtown during the 1930s (people were poor, kids would get scrap coal and bananas from freight cars). She gives a good description of people in the neighborhood being “house conscious” and tells why wooden steps would get turned over (because they had been painted and people didn’t want anyone walking on them). There is also good insight into the pros and cons of being in a union (she lost her job because she didn’t...