Interviewer(s): E. Bernier. Thibodaux, LA

Affiliation: University of Arizona

Ira Robertson is the ex-brother-in-law of Ms. Delores Henderson of Morgan City, wife of Caleb Henderson (RH011). Ms. Delores called me in August to tell me about Ira; she had already talked to him about the project. Even though he isn't married to Caleb's sister anymore, Ira and Ms. Delores still see each other once a week when he comes over to cut her lawn. He lives in a small gray house with sea foam green shutters in Thibodaux, LA. Ira is an easygoing man, quick with a smile and a laugh unless a topic he was particularly passionate about came up. He then became somewhat of a preacher, extolling the vices and virtues needed to keep one's soul from fire and damnation. He gives a wonderful perspective about what it was like to be Black and working in the late 60's and early 70's.

Ira was born near Shreveport and moved to Morgan City in 1960 where his brother-in-law got him a job with McDermott. He worked as a welder for McDermott until he had problems with one of the bosses and then moved on to Avondale in Bayou Black. He advanced from tacker to welder to welder foreman. He enjoyed his job very much, although he said the only way he made it was because he had 7 children to feed and he was willing to put up with a lot. He said that was the choice the Black man had, either do your best to ignore the name calling and the unfair policies or leave and go sit on your couch.