Oral History: Lynda M. Sigler-Staniskis (William Sigler)

Interview Details: May 2nd or 3rd, either the evening of May 2nd or the afternoon of May 3rd and at 2521 Pine St Cinnaminson, NJ 08077

Please state your name.  Lynda Marie Staniskis Sigler:

1. How often was segregation or racism  brought up in your household when you were younger?

Never

Do you think your parents could have been low key to racism and segregation? Do you think they thought of anything like that?

I don't know. If they did they did not share it.

2. When people said or say racial slurs how does it make you feel? why?

It makes me feel bad that it puts people all in one bin instead of an individuality. Because everybody is different and slurs are not necessary for anybody whether you're white Spanish black or anything we're all human.

Do you think stereotypes in society are all true like for all races?

Society does make them true, it depends on the group of people that they are speaking of like if you have people that are lazy and don't want to go to work whether they are white, black, Spanish   whatever then they are in a segregation that are non workers, they don't want to work than they are non workers. That is the segregation I see and hear.

3. When you were in school were there colored kids that went there?

In Holy Name of Jesus School? No.  In St. Boniface Business School. Yes.

Do you think it is because as you got older the people in your neighborhood were more accepting people in different races?

No, when I went to High School, the High School was based in a mixed neighborhood. And that's when I got my introduction to mixed races.

4. Did you ever display any type of segregation or racism towards anyone?

No

Do you feel that as part of your personality there is a reason why?

Because I think everybody are human we all have feelings, we all have choices whether we take a good choice or the wrong choice, every race can make their decision.

5. How many colored families lived in your neighborhood when you were a child?

6. Has anyone treated you different because of your race?

Not that I am aware of.

7. Are you aware of the African Americans being killed by police? what is your response?

Yes I am aware of it I think it is horrifying depending on the situation, I do not know if the Police officers were threatened but if they were not it is just wrong.

8. How many colored people do you see or interact with on a daily basis?

Six to Seven

Is this throughout your daily routine or in your work environment?

My Work Environment.

9.  Would you say that there is not a majority of people in your work environment?

There's a mixture I haven't counted how many of each.

So there is a Diversity?

Yes

10 On April 20th, 1971 how old were you when The Supreme Court, in Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education, upholds busing as a legitimate means for achieving integration of public schools happened? How did you feel?

I had just turned 11, and had no clue.

Did you think where you lived it was segregated?

Not that I was aware of.

Where you live now is it segregated Is there more of one race than the other?

No.