Oral history interview with Val Coleman, 1999

Biographical Note

Val Coleman was an active member of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) in New York and the national CORE organization from 1960 until 1968. Coleman's sister was an early member of the organization, and Coleman got involved as he became dissatisfied with his work as a press agent for United Artists films. Coleman quickly became the Assistant Community Relations Director of CORE and later became Press Secretary. Coleman was instrumental in the planning of many CORE demonstrations, including the Freedom Rides. Following his involvement in the movement, Coleman became the Director of Public Information at the New York City Housing Authority, a position he held for over two decades. Coleman also taught Urban Planning as an adjunct professor at Columbia University, and has written numerous books and plays, including "Beverly and Marigold," an anthology of short stories

Scope and Contents

Coleman begins by explaining his sister's involvement with the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) and the origins of his own involvement. He discusses his membership with the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) and the relationships he formed with Jim (James L.) Farmer and Abraham Johannes (A.J.) Muste. Coleman shares details of Farmer's autobiography, "Lay Bare the Heart," and describes personal interactions with and admiration for Farmer. Coleman discusses his work as a press agent at United Artists, his growing devotion to CORE, and his resignation from United Artists to become Marvin Rich's assistant. He chronicles his professional and activist experiences, including: his promotion to Assistant Community Relations Director of CORE; his participation in organizing the Woolworth boycotts; his negotiations with Warner Bros. Entertainment against segregation; and his collaboration with SEIU 1199. Coleman addresses broader themes and trends within the movement, such as: the influence of Gandhism, the differences in experience between African immigrants and Black Americans, the experiences of women in the movement, the transition from integration to Black Power, and the subsequent exodus of whites from the movement. Coleman describes the FOR's Journey of Reconciliation of 1947 and the Freedom Rides of 1961. He recalls a 1960 meeting with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to discuss a possible merger between CORE and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). Coleman also discusses: the shift in CORE's leadership, including his impressions of Roy Innis; the movement's end; how the American public reacts to social movements; the limited focus of the civil rights movement; and American racial inequality at the time of the interview

Subjects

• Civil rights demonstrations--United States.
• Civil rights movements--United States--History--20th century.
• Coleman, Val--Interviews.
• Congress of Racial Equality.
• Farmer, James, 1920-1999.
• Interviews.
• Michaels, Sheila, 1939-2017, interviewer.
• Oral histories (literary works)
• United States--Race relations--History--20th century.