Bridges Digital Archive: Audio and Video Recordings

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Document Type

Oral History

Publication Date

3-1-2022

Abstract

In this interview, Norman E.W. Towels is the guest. He begins by discussing his childhood, such as being born in Los Angeles but then living in Alaska for a time in his youth. After his stepfather and family were transferred to Louisana due to his military position, Towels experienced a kind of culture shock when he went to school. It started with going to an All-Black school with a difference in academic norms then to an All-White school where racism was common. He was also given the opportunity to attend college for organic chemistry and studied at Southen University. Towels then moved to the Inland Empire as both he and his wife had a family history in the area. He was able to teach in the Val Verde Unified School District and a juvenile hall simultaneously. Having the skill to teach all grades and in a college setting, Towels was able to help students who were considered at-risk youth. He mentions not wanting to see youth who had been expelled from school on the streets, leading to creating his own school to teach and shape the youth. With the help of outside resources, Towels was able to create a safe learning environment for this demographic. Whenever a student was to be expelled or an adult wanted to cause problems for the student, Towels took them under his leadership and gave them better opportunities. Towels also talked about Clarence Muse and his impact on Towels’ teaching and further community involvement. After speaking about being and working in fraternities, especially discussing Alpha Phi Alpha, he and the interviewer talk about The Rotary Club and The Lyons Club. The interview then ends with Towels going over Me and My Friends, an autobiographical book that he wrote when he was in his twenties.

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