Stewart Acuff oral history interview, August 29, 1995

Item — othertype: Oral History

Identifier: L1995-12-01

Staff Only

Stewart Acuff oral history interview

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Scope and Contents

Interviewed by Christine Lutz: Acuff discusses his background, including his college education, work as an activist with ACORN after graduation, and studying in England during his sophomore year. He articulates the connection for him between religion and activism, as well as the influence of the civil rights movement and Viet Nam on his development as an activist. He recounts about organizing nursing home workers and receiving threats from the Klu Klux Klan. On being a white Southerner confronted with the civil rights movement, Acuff says, “Race is an inescapable part…of small town Southern life…[I]f I had to name a thing that most affected me, it was…coming to grips with the humanity of African-American people, because once you confront that, and come to grips with it, then that has to change your mind.” Another high point of the interview is Acuff’s account of union negotiations with the 1996 Olympics committee. [Charlie Key also accounts the same event.]

Dates

Creation: August 29, 1995

Creator

Acuff, Stewart (Interviewee, Person)

Restrictions on Access

Oral history available for research.

Biographical Note

Stewart Acuff was born on December 17, 1954 in Trezevant, Tennessee. He graduated from the University of Missouri in 1977. After graduating, he became engaged in labor organization by during his membership in the Association of Community Organizing for Reform Now (ACORN). ACORN membership was followed by Acuff’s joining the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Mr. Acuff has held several positions of importance in the labor movement. He was the Executive Director of the Georgia State Employees Union, President of the Atlanta Labor Council (AFL-CIO), and Deputy Director of the Midwest Region of the AFL-CIO. He now serves as the Director of Organizing for the AFL-CIO in Washington, DC.