Frederick Inoa

Oral History of Crystal Floyd

It was a cold day as I walked in the upward bound it just got colder. I took the elevator to the third floor. As I walked in to crystal’s office I was nervous to how she would react to the questions I was going to ask her during the interview. Yea I was nervous but I sat down and told crystal that I was ready to interview her. So then I asked her my first question.

Where did you grow up as a kid?

As a kid I grew up in Brooklyn New York

How was your childhood?

Sometimes it was good sometimes not so good

As you were growing up did you ever live in Spanish Harlem?

No I never lived around here

Around where you lived did you experience fights?

Yes but they were regular fights back then no weapons

Were students in your school segregated?

Elementary school was intergrated there were more black schools

Were you ever picked on because of your race?

I was never picked on because of the color of my skin

As a teenager did you have more challenges in life?

Yes I had more challenges as a teenager life was harder more work

What race are you?

I am black

As I was interviewing crystal it smelled like pineapple juice and fish. I was looking around I was surrounded by many pictures on the wall showing other students that long ago went to the upward bound program. I kept on hearing Christians voice as he kept telling Ms. Crystal that he needed to interview her. I was touching the table squeezing my hands as I patiently waited for ms. Crystal to tell him to get out