Oral history interview with Charles Johnson, December 29, 1990

Charles Johnson was the principal of Jordan-Matthews High School at the time of this interview. Here, he describes his ascension to his position, his management style, his discipline policy, his use of funds, and other details of his position. He loves his job, but he sees some problems with education in a post-desegregation environment. He makes an extra effort to project an aura of professionalism, because he thinks that some people have difficulty accepting direction from a black authority figure; his demeanor is also an effort to reverse a decline in courtesy and diligence. While he says that his race has not affected his treatment from his superiors, it has affected his approach to his job. This interview offers some insight into a black principal's effort to rebuild the authority of the black educator.