Clayborne Carson
Encyclopedia
Clayborne Carson is an African American
professor of history
at Stanford University
, and director of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute. Since 1985 he has directed the Martin Luther King Papers Project, a long-term project to edit and publish the papers of Martin Luther King, Jr.
, New York
. He grew up near Los Alamos
, New Mexico
, where his was one of a small number of African-American families. He attributes his life-long interest in the Civil Rights Movement
to that experience. "I had this really strong curiosity about the black world, because in Los Alamos the black world was a very few families. When the civil rights movement started, I had this real fascination with it, and I wanted to meet the people in it."
On August 28, 1963, 19-year-old Carson attended the historic March on Washington
. After a freshman year at the University of New Mexico
, where he was one of 150 Black students among 20,000 undergraduates, Carson was overwhelmed to find himself among hundreds of thousands of African-Americans at the March. Recalling the March, at which Martin Luther King delivered his famous "I Have a Dream
" speech at the Lincoln Memorial
, Carson says, "I have a lot of vivid memories, but not of King’s speech." What left the biggest impression, he says, were "the people I met there."
(1967), M.A.
(1971), and Ph.D.
(1975) at the University of California, Los Angeles
(UCLA). While studying at UCLA, he was involved in civil rights and anti-Vietnam War
protests. He speaks of that experience in his current writing, highlighting the importance of grassroots political activity within the African American freedom struggle.
Carson has taught and lectured in Britain, France, China, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania. He lectures about Martin Luther King, Malcolm X
, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee
(SNCC), the Black Panther Party
, and other subjects related to the black struggle. He has been a frequent guest on Pacifica Radio
station KPFA
in Berkeley, California
, and has also appeared on programs like NPR
's Fresh Air
, the Tavis Smiley Show, the Charlie Rose Show, Good Morning America
, and the CBS Evening News
. Carson is a member of the global council of the California International Law Center
at the University of California, Davis School of Law.
. His son, Malcolm, graduated from Howard University
and the University of California's Boalt School of Law, and is currently working as an attorney for the Legal Aid Foundation in Los Angeles
. His daughter Temera, who is employed by the County of Santa Clara
, graduated from San Jose State University
with a masters degree in social work
, and lives with her three children in East Palo Alto, California
.
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
professor of history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
at Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
, and director of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute. Since 1985 he has directed the Martin Luther King Papers Project, a long-term project to edit and publish the papers of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the...
Early life
Carson was born in BuffaloBuffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. He grew up near Los Alamos
Los Alamos, New Mexico
Los Alamos is a townsite and census-designated place in Los Alamos County, New Mexico, United States, built upon four mesas of the Pajarito Plateau and the adjoining White Rock Canyon. The population of the CDP was 12,019 at the 2010 Census. The townsite or "the hill" is one part of town while...
, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, where his was one of a small number of African-American families. He attributes his life-long interest in the Civil Rights Movement
African-American Civil Rights Movement (1955-1968)
The African-American Civil Rights Movement refers to the movements in the United States aimed at outlawing racial discrimination against African Americans and restoring voting rights to them. This article covers the phase of the movement between 1955 and 1968, particularly in the South...
to that experience. "I had this really strong curiosity about the black world, because in Los Alamos the black world was a very few families. When the civil rights movement started, I had this real fascination with it, and I wanted to meet the people in it."
On August 28, 1963, 19-year-old Carson attended the historic March on Washington
March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom
The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom was the largest political rally for human rights in United States history and called for civil and economic rights for African Americans. It took place in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, August 28, 1963. Martin Luther King, Jr...
. After a freshman year at the University of New Mexico
University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution...
, where he was one of 150 Black students among 20,000 undergraduates, Carson was overwhelmed to find himself among hundreds of thousands of African-Americans at the March. Recalling the March, at which Martin Luther King delivered his famous "I Have a Dream
I Have a Dream
"I Have a Dream" is a 17-minute public speech by Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered on August 28, 1963, in which he called for racial equality and an end to discrimination...
" speech at the Lincoln Memorial
Lincoln Memorial
The Lincoln Memorial is an American memorial built to honor the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. It is located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The architect was Henry Bacon, the sculptor of the main statue was Daniel Chester French, and the painter of the interior...
, Carson says, "I have a lot of vivid memories, but not of King’s speech." What left the biggest impression, he says, were "the people I met there."
Education and academic career
Carson earned his B.A.Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
(1967), M.A.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
(1971), and Ph.D.
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
(1975) at the University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
(UCLA). While studying at UCLA, he was involved in civil rights and anti-Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
protests. He speaks of that experience in his current writing, highlighting the importance of grassroots political activity within the African American freedom struggle.
Carson has taught and lectured in Britain, France, China, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania. He lectures about Martin Luther King, Malcolm X
Malcolm X
Malcolm X , born Malcolm Little and also known as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz , was an African American Muslim minister and human rights activist. To his admirers he was a courageous advocate for the rights of African Americans, a man who indicted white America in the harshest terms for its...
, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee
Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee
The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee ' was one of the principal organizations of the American Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. It emerged from a series of student meetings led by Ella Baker held at Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina in April 1960...
(SNCC), the Black Panther Party
Black Panther Party
The Black Panther Party wasan African-American revolutionary leftist organization. It was active in the United States from 1966 until 1982....
, and other subjects related to the black struggle. He has been a frequent guest on Pacifica Radio
Pacifica Radio
Pacifica Radio is the oldest public radio network in the United States. It is a group of five independently operated, non-commercial, listener-supported radio stations that is known for its progressive/liberal political orientation. It is also a program service supplying over 100 affiliated...
station KPFA
KPFA
KPFA is a listener-funded progressive talk radio and music radio station located in Berkeley, California, broadcasting to the San Francisco Bay Area. KPFA airs public news, public affairs, talk, and music programming. The station signed on-the-air April 15 1949, as the first Pacifica Station...
in Berkeley, California
Berkeley, California
Berkeley is a city on the east shore of the San Francisco Bay in Northern California, United States. Its neighbors to the south are the cities of Oakland and Emeryville. To the north is the city of Albany and the unincorporated community of Kensington...
, and has also appeared on programs like NPR
NPR
NPR, formerly National Public Radio, is a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. NPR was created in 1970, following congressional passage of the Public Broadcasting...
's Fresh Air
Fresh Air
Fresh Air is an American radio talk show broadcast on National Public Radio stations across the United States. The show is produced by WHYY-FM in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Its longtime host is Terry Gross. , the show was syndicated to 450 stations and claimed 4.5 million listeners. The show...
, the Tavis Smiley Show, the Charlie Rose Show, Good Morning America
Good Morning America
Good Morning America is an American morning news and talk show that is broadcast on the ABC television network; it debuted on November 3, 1975. The weekday program airs for two hours; a third hour aired between 2007 and 2008 exclusively on ABC News Now...
, and the CBS Evening News
CBS Evening News
CBS Evening News is the flagship nightly television news program of the American television network CBS. The network has broadcast this program since 1948, and has used the CBS Evening News title since 1963....
. Carson is a member of the global council of the California International Law Center
California International Law Center
-Overview:The California International Law Center is a research center at the University of California, Davis School of Law that focuses on international, comparative, and transnational law...
at the University of California, Davis School of Law.
Personal life and family
He is married to Susan Ann Carson, who is the managing editor of the King Papers Project, and lives in Palo Alto, CaliforniaPalo Alto, California
Palo Alto is a California charter city located in the northwest corner of Santa Clara County, in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, United States. The city shares its borders with East Palo Alto, Mountain View, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Stanford, Portola Valley, and Menlo Park. It is...
. His son, Malcolm, graduated from Howard University
Howard University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
and the University of California's Boalt School of Law, and is currently working as an attorney for the Legal Aid Foundation in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. His daughter Temera, who is employed by the County of Santa Clara
Santa Clara County, California
Santa Clara County is a county located at the southern end of the San Francisco Bay Area in the U.S. state of California. As of 2010 it had a population of 1,781,642. The county seat is San Jose. The highly urbanized Santa Clara Valley within Santa Clara County is also known as Silicon Valley...
, graduated from San Jose State University
San José State University
San Jose State University is a public university located in San Jose, California, United States...
with a masters degree in social work
Social work
Social Work is a professional and academic discipline that seeks to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of an individual, group, or community by intervening through research, policy, community organizing, direct practice, and teaching on behalf of those afflicted with poverty or any real or...
, and lives with her three children in East Palo Alto, California
East Palo Alto, California
East Palo Alto is a city in San Mateo County, California, United States.-Overview:As of the 2010 census, the population of East Palo Alto was 28,155. It is situated on the San Francisco Peninsula, roughly halfway between the cities of San Francisco and San Jose...
.
Selected bibliography
- In struggle: SNCC and the Black awakening of the 1960s. Harvard University Press, 1981. ISBN 0-674-44726-3
- co-editor, The Eyes on the Prize Civil Rights Reader. Penguin Books, 1991. ISBN 0-14-015403-5
- Malcolm X: the FBI file. Carroll & Graf Publishers, 1991. ISBN 978-0881847581
- co-author, A Knock at Midnight: Inspiration from the Great Sermons of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. Grand Central Publishers, 1998. ISBN 978-0446523462
- co-author, The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. Grand Central Publishers, 2001. ISBN 978-0446676502
- co-editor, African American Lives: The Struggle for Freedom. Volume I. Longman, 2004. ISBN 978-0201794878
- co-editor, African American Lives: The Struggle for Freedom. Volume II. Longman, 2004. ISBN 978-0201794892
- co-author, The Martin Luther King, Jr. Encyclopedia. Greenwood Press, 2008. ISBN 978-0313294402
- senior editor, The Papers of Martin Luther King, Jr.. Vols. 1-4. University of California Press, 1994-2007.
- A Call to Conscience: The Landmark Speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr
- Civil rights chronicle : the African-American struggle for freedom
External links
- Clayborne Carson Home Page, Stanford University
- http://www.librarything.com/combine.php?author=carsonclayborne
- Interview with Tavis SmileyTavis SmileyTavis Smiley is a talk show host, author, liberal political commentator, entrepreneur, advocate and philanthropist. Smiley was born in Gulfport, Mississippi and grew up in Kokomo, Indiana. After attending Indiana University, he worked during the late 1980s as an aide to Tom Bradley, the mayor of...
on January 15, 2007 - Interview with Clayborne Carson