Transcript of Oral History Interview of James P. Feeney

Transcript of Oral History Interview of James P. Feeney

Boston (Mass.)
Boston Public Schools
Busing for school integration
South Boston (Boston, Mass.)

In this interview, James P. Feeney, who was born and raised in South Boston, Massachusetts, reflects on the impact of Judge W. Arthur Garrity's 1974 decision in the case of Morgan v. Hennigan, which required some students to be bused between Boston neighborhoods with the goal of creating racial balance in the public schools. He discusses South Boston’s reaction to the decision; the media coverage of the aftermath of the decision; various protests and demonstrations that took place; and how the dynamics of South Boston changed during that time period.

John Joseph Moakley Archive & Institute at Suffolk University, Boston, Mass.

Moakley Oral History Project

John Joseph Moakley Archive & Institute at Suffolk University, Boston, Mass.

February 16 ,2005

Kintz, Laura

Copyright Suffolk University. This item is made available for research and educational purposes by the John Joseph Moakley Archive & Institute. Prior permission is required for any commercial use.

Moakley Oral History Project: http://moakleyarchive.omeka.net/collections/show/1

PDF (Computer file format)

English

Oral history interview transcript

OH-048

MP3 audio file
Note: Original audio recording is available for listening at the John Joseph Moakley Archive & Institute at Suffolk University, Boston, Mass.

31:04

See PDF transcript

Owens, Michael

Feeney, James P.

Suffolk University Law School, Boston, Mass.

Mr. Feeney’s background p. 3 (00:50)
Reactions to the Garrity decision p. 4 (02:48)
Anti-busing activism and media coverage p. 6 (07:20)
Impact of the decision on South Boston p. 8 (15:30)
Reflections on his anti-busing activism, his family’s experiences, and local politicians p. 13 (21:28)