Robbie Moss
Robbie Moss and her interviewer reflect on what it was like to be one of the only Black families in La Crosse in the 1950s through the 1980s. When Cubans came to Fort McCoy in 1980, Robbie explains she was excited to see more Black people around town. Robbie explains the feeling of the presence of the Cubans within the predominantly white community.
This interview comes from the UWL Oral History Program at Special Collections Murphy Library.
Transcript
Location: 534 Copeland
Gretchen Lockett (interviewer): I have not ever indoctrinated my children and the oldest one is a very happy-go-lucky type and nothing really bothers him. Second day he was in the La Crosse Schools, I heard him tell his brother, “Look Elliot, every day at 2:00 I want you to come down this hall.” So I said, “Wonder what that is about?” And I waited a little while and then about that weekend, he said, “You know, you heard me tell Elliot I wanted him to come down the hall every day.” I said, “Yeah.” He said, “Well,” he said, “the reason I told him that is because I want to see one Black person per day even if it is my brother.” *laughter*
Linda Lizana (Robbie’s daughter-in-law): That’s good! That sounds like her dad…
Robbie Moss: He must be like my mother…
Lizana: I know the feeling!
Moss: …has been here thirty-seven years too and, uh, well, when she came, there was, uh, still hard times and people was traveling, uh, like hobos on the railroads, you know, and Mama was standing at the door and look out, and says, “Isn’t that a colored person?” *laughter* If it’s a little dark, she was so hoping it was a colored person! *laughter*
Lizana: I think we still do that now. *laughter*
Lockett: Yeah!
Moss: Well, I still am staring at all those that I see around; all the Cubans and all them. I bet they think, “What she looking at me for?” But I’m glad to see them!