Code,915015
Subject,Robb Forward
Date,6/22/2012
Interviewer,Gabriela Halligan-Taylor
Abstract,"In this 2012 interview, Robb Forward of Shaker's Brown-Forward Funeral Home, describes his life living in Shaker and the experiences he went through elsewhere. Beginning with his life as a child, he tells stories of Shaker's conservatism in the 1950s and early 1960s, and the role of religion in different ethnic groups. As the turbulent '60s plowed through everyday life, he describes the racial tension and then the anti-war tension, being a Vietnam veteran. Mr. Forward then provides a brief history of his funeral home, its communal role, and his involvement at Plymouth Church. He ends describing Shaker today, and his love and gratefulness for the city."
Special Notes,"Shaker Heights, community, religion, Plymouth Church, Vietnam War, diversity"
minutes:,61
0,"place of birth, going through Shaker schools"
1,"the ""elitest"" attitude of Shaker"
2,"the various ""cliques"" in Shaker Heights"
3,"""..the town shut down.."" the church influence in the 1960s"
4,"women in the 60s-- ""..babies and cooking..."""
5,involvment at Plymouth Church being Episcopalian
6,the strict religious denominations in Shaker
7,"blacks beginning to move into Shaker, racism"
8,hearing Martin Luther King speak in Shaker
9,"going to college in Vermont ""..which was even more isolated.."""
10,the anti-war movement after college
11,"on integration, Vermont vs. Shaker, personal experiences"
12,
13,"his parent's conservatism, more personal experiences of integration"
14,""".. you realize that these stereotypes mean absolutely nothing.."""
15,"on the Vietnam War, ""...you just didn't know any different.."""
16,"the homophobia in the army, 1960s-70s"
17,"the anti-war movement, anti-soldier movement"
18,
19,"""I was considered a returning murderer.."""
20,life has a returning soldier in Shaker
21,"the family funeral home, Brown-Forward Funeral Home"
22,
23,
24,the funeral home serving the whole community
25,
26,"the racial tension, then and now"
27,
28,the media effect on social problems
29,
30,
31,Shaker through the decades
32,Life during the 1970s and the Vietnam War
33,Positive integration in the 1970s
34,
35,"""..activists need to be continually active..."""
36,
37,"Shaker today.. ""... ultra conservatism to pretty liberal..."""
38,"Anti-communism as child, conservatism in Shaker"
39,"""... it's quite a beautiful mix now..."""
40,
41,
42,the diversity of Shaker politics today
43,
44,a personal story of the lack of discussion in a local church
45,"Shaker as a discussive, diverse community"
46,experiencing communities outside of Shaker
47,
48,
49,
50,
51,On his involvement in Plymouth Church
52,
53,"Plymouth Church as a liberal, ""relaxed"" congregation"
54,
55,Describing the cities of Shaker and Cleveland
56,
57,"the schools, and facilities in Shaker"
58,"""... 'ya pay for it and 'ya get it..."""
59,more on his love of Shaker
60,""".. a small town in a big city.."""
61,[end]