Alex Norman interview, 2014

Norman, Alex - Oral History Interview- CSWA ❧ Alex J. Norman, DSW – Oral History Interview for the California Social Welfare Archives (CSWA). Interviewer: Joseph A. Nunn, PhD. Date: 07/23/2014. An interview with Alex J. Norman, DSW, as he discusses his various and influential roles in social and academia justice movements, including his work in gang intervention and creating equal treatment for minority professors. ❧ Alex Norman. PhD. Professor of Social Work. Retired Activist. Interviewed by Dr. Joe Nunn. Date of interview: 7-23-14. Length of interview: 1 Hour 20 Minutes. ❧ CONTENTS: (1:10)- Early History – How he was brought to the field. (2:09) Whitney Young – Dean of School. (5:35)- Coming to Los Angeles – Herman – Conference in Philadelphia. (6:51)- Special Services for Groups – accepted job in California. (10:01)- Description of gang programs – Group Work. (13:12)- Shift focus from social work to suppression. (15:31)- Services to gangs defunded. (18:00)- “Farming Out” Service to Pasadena. (18:56)- Veterans’ Administration. (19:14)- Youth Opportunities Board – Community Development. (20:56)- Rent Strikes. (24:16)- Office of Economic Opportunity. (25:15)- Youth Training Project. (26:12)- Economic Youth Agency. (26:58)- Neighborhood Adult Participation Project (NAP). (28:47)- Civil Rights Act 1964. (28:58)- Employment Discrimination. (31:49)- UCLA Director of Department of Urban Development. (34:58)- Returned to school to secure PhD. (36:11)- Return to UCLA – academia. (39:51)- Experience as professor. (45:16)- Advocacy for students. (48:34)- International experience. (49:15)- Tenure issues – suit against UCLA. (58:20)- Retirement – Consultant Long Beach. (1:00:57)- Clinton and Empowerment Zone. (1:03:18)- Long Beach Economic Development Project. (1:04:20)- Community Policing. (1:06:05)- Commissioner of Public Safety. (1:10:20)- Corridor Project – “The Connected Corridor”. (1:11:58)- Concluding remarks. (1:13:38)- Current issues to be addressed. ❧ ADDITIONAL MATERIALS: 1. California Social Work Hall of Distinction Biography ( http://socialworkhallofdistinction.usc.edu/honorees/ ). 2. Curriculum Vitae. 3. DVD containing interview.