Bridges Digital Archive: Audio and Video Recordings

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Document Type

Oral History

Abstract

In this interview, Jackie McDonald is the guest. She starts the interview by explaining that her family moved to Riverside County after seeing a friend with acres of land. Since she and her husband wanted their son to have a life outside of the city, and because her husband wanted to be a farmer, they felt that it was necessary. When she arrived, she saw that the younger generations had no respect for the older folk which she was taught. Seeing this as a problem she wanted to help with, she created an etiquette and modeling class through the Perris Union High School District in Perris Junior High School. This made a positive impact on the students that she worked it, helping them graduate and keep out of trouble. All of those in that class with her son graduated, so she followed him and opened the class for high schoolers regardless of ethnic background. McDonald also worked with the Moses-Schaffer Community Center Seniors Committee. She said that the diverse population was usually equal in numbers and that now the Hispanic population and related resources. McDonald answers the interviewer’s question about Black history in Perris and how notable Black figures, are by speaking of James Isabelle and others. The conversation continues on education as McDonald mentions the Math committee, her education, and her belief that those against critical race theory do not understand it. She mentions how she and an entire school boycotted lunch for all of February to add Black History in the school curriculum and to be a month-long celebration. She also, in her youth, when she marched during the same days that Martin Luther King Jr. did and then sequentially was caught on T.V. In regards to the economy, she mentions that Walmart arriving at Perris led to local stores closing. When asked about Black educators when her children were young, McDonald mentions that there is a need for more Black educators and their safety. There was also a point when her son was in high school when she had to confront a racist vice principal who was later fired. The interview ends with advice for future generations within activism. McDonald says to remember the people who came before them, never to give up, Black Lives Matter as an important movement, and to get into good trouble.

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