Oral history interview with Ned Irons, March 16, 1999

by Ned Irons

2006

Ratist Community Rating

—/ 10

No reviews yet

Your Score Estimate

~?/ 10

Rate a few books to unlock your estimate

Rate

Community breakdown

Story
—
Writing & Style
—
Emotive Effect
—
Characters & Voice
—
Pure Entertainment
—

Bars show the community-aggregated score per category. Rate this book to contribute.

Ned Irons, a high achieving white student at West Charlotte High School in Charlotte, NC, discusses his experiences as a member of a racial minority at this historically black school. Irons was lured to West Charlotte by its sports programs and glowing reputation, and once there found an intellectually stimulating and socially challenging environment. Irons sees West Charlotte as a school that finds its identity in African American culture, and in learning about that culture, he jettisoned many of his prejudices. In addition to sharing his personal experiences, Irons discusses race in Charlotte, including his belief that socioeconomics can help explain segregation and his conclusions that neighborhood schools will doom Charlotte to resegregation.