Herbert L. Mackey Sr. 2021 Oral History
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Title
Subject
Description
Biographical Note
Herbert Mackey, the son of Bahamian parents, was raised in New Monrovia, Florida, during the 1940s and 1950s. One of ten children, he recalls his childhood and the practical skills of subsistence fishing and hunting, including catching rabbits, sea turtles, and gophers. His first job, taken on as a young boy, was picking beans. Mr. Mackey’s father worked as a gardener and landscaper on Jupiter Island, and his mother was a housekeeper; both also labored in the agricultural fields whenever seasonal work was available.
Scope Note
In this interview, Mr. Mackey offers a vivid portrait of his family and the everyday experiences of the Black community in Martin County during the Jim Crow era. He reflects on the gradual and uneven process of desegregation following the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision, sharing a heartfelt narrative of resilience, dignity, and community cohesion. He describes learning his alphabet in Sunday school and beginning first grade at age five in the one-room schoolhouse for Black children in Salerno, Florida, where he studied through sixth grade. In 1949, he transitioned to Stuart Training School for his middle and high school education. Toward the end of the interview, Mr. Mackey warmly sings two songs from his cherished high school days, expressing deep admiration for his teachers and principals, and recalling the pride and excellence embodied by the Stuart Training School marching band.
Transcription and consent form available
Click here to listen to interview and access transcription on archive.org
Click here to listen to interview on the University of Florida’s Digital Collection