Nan Orrock oral history interview, 2016-11-02

Partial Transcript: ANDY REISINGER: Yeah, so we'll pick back up, um, again this isn't a private conversation. If there's any area of questioning --

Segment Synopsis: Andy Reisinger begins the interview with a few disclaimers.

Partial Transcript: ANDY REISINGER: So the last time we talked, we've spoken twice now and in the first interview I think we got a lot of your childhood and --

Segment Synopsis: Nan Orrock talks about why she moved to Atlanta and talks about civil rights work that she did.

Subjects: Civil rights workers; Conscientious objectors

Partial Transcript: NAN ORROCK: And I would say that in my mind's eye, we -- this was in the absolutely very heart of the heated anti-war movement --

Segment Synopsis: Nan Orrock talks about the founding mission of The Bird and meeting the Bird's co-founders.

Subjects: Anti-war demonstrations; Civil rights; Underground newspapers

Partial Transcript: ANDY REISINGER: Did you have a vision of what you wanted the paper to be beyond being a counter voice to the Atlanta Journal and Constitution?

Segment Synopsis: Nan Orrock talks about her and others' visions for and perspective of The Great Speckled Bird.

Keywords: Speaking truth to power

Subjects: Underground newspapers

Partial Transcript: ANDY REISINGER: And what was your -- what were some of your roles on the paper in the day to day operation?

Segment Synopsis: Nan Orrock talks about different staff roles at the Bird and describes some of the news stories she covered. She also talks about the Bird's finances.

Subjects: Newspaper editors; Newspapers; Typewriting; Women

Partial Transcript: ANDY REISINGER: Can you say some more about the internal dynamics and what you called "debilitating debates"?

Segment Synopsis: Nan Orrock talks about the dynamics between men and women at The Bird and describes how the women's participation was limited by the men's refusal to acknowledge their own sexism.

Keywords: Male privilege

Subjects: Sexism; Women

Partial Transcript: NAN ORROCK: Another emerging issue at the time was the LGBT battle.

Segment Synopsis: Nan Orrock talks about the struggle for LGBT rights during the early 1970s and describes the first gay pride march held in Atlanta. She also talks about racism and working with various organizations.

Subjects: Gay community; Newspapers; Racism

Partial Transcript: ANDY REISINGER: Following up on a couple points there, particularly in reference again to women and women pushing the Bird to be fairer.

Segment Synopsis: Nan Orrock talks about the women working at The Bird and describes the various organizations people at the Bird were a part of. She also talks about her political views.

Keywords: Black Lives Matter

Subjects: Black Panther Party; Protest movements; Underground newspapers; Women

Partial Transcript: ANDY REISINGER: You mentioned there these couple conversations with your mom, um, of what you perceiving or witnessing --

Segment Synopsis: Nan Orrock talks about her family's response to her emerging activism.

Subjects: Families; Methodist Church

Partial Transcript: NAN ORROCK: And I very meaningfully -- fifty year reunion of our, there was a march that commemorated a march that we did fifty years ago this past summer --

Segment Synopsis: Nan Orrock talks about voting rights and describes a march she attended to commemorate an earlier march for voting rights.

Keywords: Virginia Students' Civil Rights Committee

Subjects: Voter registration; Voting

Partial Transcript: ANDY REISINGER: So back to that point of your family's reaction, you said there was no permanent schism.

Segment Synopsis: Nan Orrock talks more about her family's reaction to her life and describes how political activism has affected other people and their families.

Subjects: Civil rights; Families

Partial Transcript: ANDY REISINGER: I know that you and I understand that, but before the interview started you mentioned that you were hoping to wrap this up?

Segment Synopsis: Nan Orrock talks about the culture of women at The Bird and describes the relationships, movements, and meetings they were involved in.

Subjects: Meetings; Women; Women political activists

Partial Transcript: ANDY REISINGER: One very, very quick last question. Have you maintained relationships with any of the folks from the Bird over the years?

Segment Synopsis: Nan Orrock talks about who she still keeps in contact with from The Bird.

Subjects: Friendship; Reunions