Interview #1, Lee Ethel Drake

What is your name? Lee Ethel Drake.
How old are you? 49. (proud voice)
Where were born? I was born in Rosedale, Ms. Raised in Sherard, MS.
Do you have any siblings? Yes. Yvonnie Eggleston, Versey Denise Drake, Viola Cusic, Bobbie Jean Taylor, Evenline Hardman, Minnie B. Harris, Estella Mae Drake, James Drake, Jodie Drake III, and Curtis Jackson.
What was life growing up as a black girl in Sherard, MS? It was alright. We went outside and played.Pulled wood in made fire. Had fun over grandmother's house. I had fun.
Did you experience any racism? No, we played with the white children. My family, I guess kept us away from it. Didn't really experinece any racism until I got older and moved into the city.
Did your parents tell you you anything or instill any values on how life will be as a black woman? Yes. Be strong and independent. Cook, clean, and be a woman. Mama taught us to work hard and know hiw work is. Never to be lazy.
Tell me more about your experiences about racism? Honestly I didn't experience any racism until I left Mississippi. My schools were intergrated from kindergarten to college. We all got along. One racsit experience I recall was when my sister Viola worked at McDonalds in Clarksdale during high school and was called a nigger by a white guy. Another white guy named John took up for her and said thats my sister and made him apologize.There was a couple experiences in California of racism from some Mexicans but there was also alot of nice Mexicans. In California I was really good friends with a Filipino girl named Juanita. We worked in the mess hall together and there was some words said by some other Filipinos that didn't sit well with me. All in all though it was more about wanting power or better pay by kissing but than race. At least thats how I took it. Memphis was another matter. I think Memphis is the most racist place I've ever been?
How so? White people here in Memphis still think you should be in slavery, not all, but some of them. If a black person does the same wrong thing a white person that black person would be punished not the white person. Its like some of them they're privilaged to everything. If equally qualified black and white person applied for a job the white person would be hired. Black people on get hired in warehouses. Its like modern day slavery. Don't get me wrong some make good money but they work you like slaves. You don't really get to appreciate it. Work, work, work. Its not like other countries where you can take vacations once in awhile and not have job threatened or take care a sick child and have to worry about your job status. If you black its all about who you know to get a decent paying job for a white person its not like that they put in an application and they get an interview.
What's your relationship with black and white women? Good. I treat people how I want to be treated. I have black friends, white friends, Filipino friends, Latino friends. (Laughs) I get along with everybody. Its all about personality and attitude. Well I can't say everybody because everybody not going to like you.
Do you have any children? (laughing) Yeah the big-headed boy doing the interview.
How do you feel about interracial relationships? My honest opinion, I don't care. If they love each other that's all that matters. When God made us he didn't see color. All this racist stuff is man made.
What do you think is the role of both black men and women in relationships and inside of the home should be? I think a man if he at home should be the head of the house and take care his family and work. A woman should let a man be a man. There's not plenty man like that nowadays. Back in my day there were plenty. Man are not what they used to be. A woman should stand by her man. She should care her family. By working and taking care of home as well.
Do you think women should be submissive to men? To a certain point. If a man treats his woman like a queen then she should treat him like a king. If he a real men and she a real woman thats how it should be. Thats how good relationships work. Honesty and communication.
What do you think is a critical issue affecting African Americans today? Better paying jobs. If you don't know nobody its hard. You can the education and the degrees but its still hard.
How do think about President Obama's job performance? No comment right now. Economy is in a bad spot but I'm blaming him. I don't know. Bush made a huge mess and its going to take a long time to clean up and he's only be president for a short while.
What makes me the greatest son ever? (smiles at her while I ask) *Laughs* your big a-- head. Honestly I think you're intelligent, strong, motivated, considerate, and hard working. Your my still my lil boo and my lil Los no matter how old you get.
How do you think the state of black women is right now? We still have to be strong women, dependable on our self. Stuff doesn't come easy as black women. Its the same as it is as it was.
To end the interview how do you see yourself in 10 years? Hopefully retired (laughs).
You don't have to worry about that. I gotcha mom. I going to have you in Barbados sipping lemonade living the retired life :)