doi:10.7916/1wh6-y352Oral history interview with David Norman Dinkins, 2014Dinkins, David Noral historiesmixed materialMayorsPolitical clubs--New York (State)Crime--New York (State)Apartheid--South AfricaNew York (N.Y.)New York (N.Y.) Politics and governmentHarlem (New York, N.Y.)Montford Point Camp (Camp Lejeune, N.C.)Dinkins, David NPaterson, Basil ARangel, Charles BSutton, Percy EMorgenthau, Robert MAshe, ArthurGiuliani, Rudolph WMandela, Nelson, 1918-2013Jones, J. Raymond (John Raymond), 1899-1991Belafonte, Harry, 1927-Beame, Abraham D. (Abraham David), 1906-2001Lynch, William, 1941-Gibson, Althea, 1927-2003Robinson, Jackie, 1919-1972Koch, Ed, 1924-2013Cuomo, Mario M., 1932-2015Clinton, Bill, 1946-Travia, Anthony JDinkins, Joyce, 1930-Columbia University FacultyHoward University Alumni and alumnaeDemocratic Party (N.Y.)U.S. Open (Tennis tournament)In the first of four interviews, Dinkins discusses his early life, including the influence his parents had on shaping his worldview, his time in the Marines, his academic trajectory, and his first years in Harlem after college. Dinkins focuses on overcoming adversities, elaborating on what it meant to be a small child during the Great Depression as well as what it was like to attend law school at night while supporting a new family. Dinkins also reflects on the particular experience of being a World War II veteran at Howard University. In this interview, Dinkins also subtly touches on experiences with segregation and racism during his youth. In the second of four interviews, Dinkins touches on the evolution of his early political career in Harlem. He discusses the central importance of Democratic clubs in Harlem as well as the many temporary and shifting alliances that were formed as black politicians attempted to gain influence for their constituencies. He talks in detail about his time in the State Assembly and the coalition of African American politicians, led by Percy Sutton, that were struggling to expand access to resources for black New Yorkers. Dinkins also expounds on his relationships with Harlem political heavyweights such as Basil Patterson, J. Raymond Jones, and Charles Rangel. In the third of four interviews, Dinkins discusses issues central to his time as Manhattan borough president and as mayor, including crime and homelessness. Dinkins conveys feelings that the media as well as his critics race-baited major campaign issues. He focuses some detail on the circumstances of the police riot in the fall of 1992. He talks in brief about an attempt by the people of Staten Island to secede from New York City, the first World Trade Center bombing, as well as campaign experiences. In the fourth of four interviews, Dinkins reflects at length on some of his accomplishments during his tenure as mayor. He focuses attention on his relationship with Nelson Mandela as well as the strict sanctions enacted on South Africa's apartheid government by his administration. He also elaborates on his stance on controversial social issues in New York City at the time. Dinkins, a tennis aficionado, talks in depth about his love of the sport and his efforts to retain the U.S. Open in New York. The interview is comprised of a transcript and WAV audio files