Sharon Barker, interviewed by Laura Finkel

Series

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

A series of fifteen interviews recorded between 1994 - 1997 by Laura Finkel concerning anti-war movement, protests, and activities on the campus at the University of Maine during the Vietnam War era (1964 - 1973).

Dates

Creation: 1994-1998

Creator

From the Collection: Finkel, Laura (Interviewer, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

For digitized items free from access restrictions, we are working to upload this material (pdfs, mp3s, jpgs) for public access, but it is an ongoing project. If you don’t find what you are looking for here, contact Special Collections (um.library.spc@maine.edu).

Extent

From the Collection: 17 items

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

Abstract

4412 Sharon Barker, interviewed by Laura Finkel, July 19, 1996, in the Women in Curriculum/Women’s Resource Center conference room on the University of Maine campus. Barker brought several things with her to the interview including yearbooks, a photo album, an essay she wrote, and some personal items from the late 1960s, early 1970s. Barker speaks of being a migrant from Canada and feeling out of touch as a teenager but recalling the patriotic mindset of people in Fort Fairfield and five boys from her high school class enlisting with the Marine Corps before graduation; starting at UMaine in fall 1967; taking a college course, "Current World Problems" with instructor Bud Schoenberger that helped her develop critical thinking skills; the death of Mike Ketch, a childhood friend, after being in-country for only four days; recognizing the Vietnam War's impact on her personal life through the death and injuries of male friends and classmates killed in the war; feelings of guilt "through our whole generation" about those who had to serve and those who did not or could not serve; feeling protective of soldiers and protesting the war; not knowing many people in the protest movement; going to Peace Marches in Washington, D.C.; carrying John Goddaire's name in the March Against Death and later meeting his brother. Recording: 2 cassettes, c2462_01 and 02, c2463_01 and 02, not digitized, approx. 180 minutes. Text: Transcript, 112 p.