Oral Histories

James Mason

   January 12, 2024

   

Canvasser, Field Manager, Canvass Director, Manager of ACORN Services, Local 100 Membership Canvasser; Durham, Columbia, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Austin, Dallas, Los Angeles; 1978-1989

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1. January 12, 2024 Interviewed by Fred Brooks
2. January 12, 2024 Interviewed by Fred Brooks

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James Mason was hired as a canvasser in Durham, NC for Carolina Action in 1978. James was promoted to field manager and became a canvass director in 1980 in Columbia, SC. Carolina Action merged with ACORN in 1980 and James went on to run canvass operations in Durham NC, Austin & Dallas Texas, New Orleans and Baton Rouge. James also ran a copy paper selling business for ACORN services from 1986-1989 in Los Angeles, CA. In 1989 James was transferred to New Orleans and worked on a canvass/membership project for Local 100. In this interview be of interest to anyone who wants to know the highs and lows of working in multiple roles for over a decade with ACORN. James highlights how he negotiated staff conflict in the Carolina Action–ACORN merger.