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John Rossi and Patrick Nolan

From the Collection: Pain and Promise: Remembering the Fight for School Integration


In this recording, Patrick Nolan interviews his friend John Rossi about his “idyllic” childhood in the Queen Anne section of Seattle. John remembers the process of desegregation in the 1970s at Worth McClure Junior High School, and the rampant fights between Black and white students. He recounts the failure of administrators to facilitate a smoother transition during busing and describes how his experiences then shape his views now.

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