“I was born and raised in Clarksdale, Mississippi. 10/22/45. I came to Louisville in search of a teaching job when I graduated from Alcorn State University. I never was a great sports hero, but I was like every other kid… I was on the baseball team and I thought I was gonna be the next Jackie Robinson.
And growing up in Mississippi without running water, without electricity, and all the other comforts of life, I want everybody to know that we loved our life at home with our parents. We loved life every day.” – James Sims.
Today’s guest is James Sims, a guy I love talking to so much when I see him in the gym that I just had to get him in the studio.
I was initially interested in speaking with him because he told me he was the first black teacher in Oldham County, and as much as I’ve watched Oldham County change since I was born (1992), I was very curious to get his perspective on watching it evolve over the last 50 years.
He didn’t agree right away. It took a few conversations in our gym to get him to warm up to it, but I stayed at him because of his natural storytelling ability and because I knew he was sitting on a treasure trove of experience and real talk. And after many follow-up discussions, I proudly present to you the finished product.
James begins (10:24) recounting his childhood and growing up in Mississippi without running water or electricity, and during a time where you couldn’t confront a white person if you were black.
He shares how he learned to navigate those waters, his relation to the man who led the first slave revolt, being arrested for participating in a sit-in and why spending two those two weeks in jail was one of the greatest things that’s ever happened to him (25:42). 19:45).
After James served in Army and then used the GI Bill to finish his college education, he shares the story of leaving Mississippi to become the first black teacher in Oldham County (42:48).
After doing that for a bit, James recounts going to work on the railroads (59:59), paying his dues for 6 months with a pick axe and eventually graduating from the engineer’s program and driving trains for 14 years, then later going back to teaching classes and eventually meeting his wife, Dianne.
Later (1:27:09), he shares his one of his favorite stories from childhood about getting caught behind the school shooting dice with the Beasley boys.
The interview wraps up (1:25:50) with the one big thing that he wishes he could share with everyone, and it’s some real talk.
James was an awesome guest, I think you guys can hear how much fun I’m having with him, I hope you enjoy listening to him as much as I did.
