The John Burrison Georgia Folklore Archive recordings contains unedited versions of all interviews. Some material may contain descriptions of violence, offensive language, or negative stereotypes reflecting the culture or language of a particular period or place. There are instances of racist language and description, particularly in regards to African Americans. These items are presented as part of the historical record. This project is a repository for the stories, accounts, and memories of those who chose to share their experiences for educational purposes. The viewpoints expressed in this project do not necessarily represent the viewpoints of the Atlanta History Center or any of its officers, agents, employees, or volunteers. The Atlanta History Center makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information contained in the interviews and expressly disclaims any liability therefore. If you believe you are the copyright holder of any of the content published in this collection and do not want it publicly available, please contact the Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center at 404-814-4040 or reference@atlantahistorycenter.com.
This interview starts with Peg Clark telling a humorous story about a commissioned painter painting a fedora on a painting of Jesus Christ in Glamis Castle near Dundee, Scotland, where the Earl of Strathmore and his family lived. At 2:30, she tells a joke in which Harry Lauder, a Scottish singer and comedian, falls down the stairs and breaks a bottle of whiskey stored in his hip pocket. At 3:25 Ross Blalock starts telling a series of jokes, most of which he learned from fellow workers whom were Jewish and Black; many of the jokes are racist, homophobic, ableist, antisemitic, and/or misogynist. First he tells a sexual joke with racist and homophobic language. Then at 4:32, he tells a joke in which two Jewish men travel Europe to see the Pope, followed by one about two maids in which one misunderstands the other when she says she has been sick with arthritis. At 7:37 he tells a joke about a couple getting divorced, then one in which a bald man is told how to shrink his head so his hair will fit. Next, at 9:31, he tells a joke about a grocery store cashier and a customer displeased with the price of onions, then one in which a 75-year-old man cheats on his 25-year-old wife. At 11:30 Blalock tells a story about a Black man mistakenly visiting an unsafe town in Mississippi where three Black men had previously been lynched. Then at 12:36, he tells a joke in which a woman writes occasionally on a job application rather than selecting her sex. To conclude the audio, Blalock tells a joke in which an elderly Black man finances a car.
Margaret (Peg) Clark (approximately 1908-1982) was born near Edinburgh, Scotland, and later lived in Wales, New York City, and Chattanooga, Tennessee. James Ross Blalock Jr. (1914-1994) was born in Atlanta, Georgia, to James R. Blalock (1875-1931) and Ruth A. White (1877-1940). In 1940 he registered for the United States draft, and in 1942 he enlisted in the air force. He had two children with Sara Alberta Elizabeth Justiss (1917-2004), Vivian Frances Clark (1935-2009) and Bobby Clark. Additional biographical information has not been determined.
A PDF transcript exists for this recording. Please contact an archivist for access.
Professor John Burrison founded the Atlanta Folklore Archive Project in 1967 at Georgia State University. He trained undergraduates and graduate students enrolled in his folklore curriculum to conduct oral history interviews. Students interviewed men, women, and children of various demographics in Georgia and across the southeast on crafts, storytelling, music, religion, rural life, and traditions.
As archivists, we acknowledge our role as stewards of information, which places us inaposition to choose how individuals and organizations are represented and described in our archives. We are not neutral, andbias isreflected in our descriptions, whichmay not convey the racist or offensive aspects of collection materialsaccurately.Archivists make mistakes and might use poor judgment.We often re-use language used by the former owners and creators, which provides context but also includes bias and prejudices of the time it was created.Additionally,our work to use reparative languagewhereLibrary of Congress subject termsareinaccurate and obsolete isongoing. Kenan Research Center welcomes feedback and questions regarding our archival descriptions. If you encounter harmful, offensive, or insensitive terminology or description please let us know by emailingreference@atlantahistorycenter.com. Your comments are essential to our work to create inclusive and thoughtful description.