Robert Gagnier oral history collection

The collection of journalist Robert Gagnier is intended to be a continuing collection comprised of interviews with various individuals in the realms of politics, media, music, and other areas. The collection consists of three audio interviews. Interviewees include Ray Charles Jr., former US Representative for California's 33rd congressional district Diane Watson, and New Orleans Police Detective Rob Barrere. The Ray Charles Jr. interview from 2016, entitled “In Search of Vibrational Meaning in Music Today,” touches upon the influence of musician Ray Charles on his son’s life, Ray Charles Jr.’s concept of vibrational frequencies in music, musicians who have inspired him and his father, and recent police shootings of African American men in the United States. He also briefly discusses the background to and his work on the film Ray, about his father. The Diane Watson interview touches upon Watson’s family roots in New Orleans and her careers in education and politics. Watson comments on the presidencies of Barack Obama and Donald J. Trump, as well as the relationship between the Congressional Black Caucus with Trump. She discusses her work with the entertainment industry while in office, commenting on the increasing presence of African American women in leadership roles within entertainment and media. She also mentions the importance of historically black colleges and universities and Congress’ lack of support for such. The interview ends with a discussion of entertainer Bill Cosby. The Rob Barrere interview touches upon Barrere’s introduction to law enforcement and the demands and rewards of his job. He discusses the depiction of the New Orleans Police Department on the television show First 48 and his role in that show. Transcripts and/or summaries of the interviews are available at the Amistad Research Center.