Interview with Raymond Cocker

Interview with Raymond Cocker

Raymond Coker was a sleeping car porter in 1953 and talks about how his life was before the Fair Employment Practices Act and expresses how difficult financial life was then for a Black man trying to support his family. He recalls wanting to make a career out of being a musician but explains why he did not end up fully pursuing it, mainly because it just wasn't a realistic option. Due to the fact that he could not join a union, he explains how he had to rely on a white band to take him on but even those opportunities were a one night deal. After a good while of struggling, he became a sleeping car porter and could never find a realistic out.

Raymond Coker

Coker, Raymond. Interview by unidentified female, 2007. Sound recording. Library and Archives Canada, Stanley G. Grizzle Fonds 417381.

Library and Archives Canada

2007

Library and Archives Canada

Interview