Oral History Interview with Makaya Begley-Huff

Partial Transcript: --Um--if you wouldn't mind to go ahead and give me your name, age, and your place of birth.

Segment Synopsis: Begley-Huff is from Hazard, Kentucky and attended Hazard High School and Hazard Community and Technical College before enrolling at Eastern Kentucky University to study psychology. Begley-Huff is currently a senior at EKU and works as a legal assistant at a law firm in Richmond. Prior to coming to Richmond, Begley-Huff worked at an attorney's office in Hazard as a legal assistant and worked various jobs in retail and at a fast food chain, respectively.

Keywords: Hazard High School (Hazard, Ky.); Retail

Subjects: Eastern Kentucky University; Education; Fast food restaurants; Hazard (Ky.); Hazard Community and Technical College; High school; Kentuckians; Kentucky; Law firms; Legal assistants; Perry County (Ky.); Psychology; Richmond (Ky.); Work

Partial Transcript: --Um--and in what location did you attend--uh--a protest for the summer of 2020?

Segment Synopsis: Begley-Huff attended the Black Lives Matter protest in Hazard on June 6, 2020. Begley-Huff says she was at the protest for around three to four hours and organized a group of 10-15 people to go with her. Begley-Huff found out about the protest through a Facebook group created especially for helping to organize the protest in Hazard. Begley-Huff recalls that the protest happened on Main Street in Hazard, next to the courthouse and the police station. Begley-Huff wanted to protest in order to be an ally for people of color. Begley-Huff says that she was outraged and heartbroken at the killings of Black people at the hands of police. Begley-Huff was also motivated by the accounts of racism and discrimination that her friends experienced in Hazard. Begley-Huff also wanted to advocate for justice on behalf of people of color through protesting.

Keywords: Allies; Black Lives Matter (Organization); Facebook groups; Main Street (Hazard, Ky.); Organizing; People of color; Whites

Subjects: African Americans; Anger; Black lives matter movement; Blacks; Death; Facebook (Electronic resource); Hazard (Ky.); Kentuckians; Kentucky; Perry County (Ky.); Police brutality; Police stations; Protests (Negotiable instruments); Race; Racism; Social media; Twitter

Partial Transcript: Did you have any reservations or hesitations about participating . . .

Segment Synopsis: Begley-Huff says that she was determined to protest since she is a strong-willed person and was determined to go in order to stand up for her values. Begley-Huff recalls that there were no vaccines to protect against COVID-19 at the time of the protests and felt that there was not very much verified information about the disease available to the public. Begley-Huff says that she kept the pandemic in the back of her mind while protesting and tried her best to maintain social distancing and wore a mask. When the COVID-19 pandemic began in the spring of 2020, Begley-Huff was living with her grandparents who both have an autoimmune disease. As a result of their underlying health conditions, Begley-Huff says that she was very cautious about not contracting COVID-19 and limited her social contacts with other people except for her five coworkers at the very small law firm she worked at. Begley-Huff says that she was not that afraid to attend the protests since the cause she was advocating for was morally correct and aligned with her value system. Begley-Huff felt that protesting against police brutality was necessary despite the associated risks of spreading COVID-19. Begley-Huff adds that she also wanted to stand up for people of color who were, in a sense, being oppressed by the police due to the disproportionate amount of police brutality and unjustified use of force perpetrated against them.

Keywords: Black Lives Matter (Organization); Determined; Morals; People of color; Remote learning; Support; Visibility; Whites

Subjects: African Americans; Autoimmune diseases; Black lives matter movement; Blacks; Change; COVID-19 (Disease); COVID-19 pandemic, 2020-; Crowds; Grandparents; Hazard (Ky.); Health; Justice; Kentuckians; Kentucky; Law offices; Masks; Perry County (Ky.); Protests (Negotiable instruments); Public health; Racial justice; Safety; Social distancing (Public health); Values; Work

Partial Transcript: What were some of the thoughts that you experienced on the day before the protest, taking COVID and everything else kind of into account?

Segment Synopsis: In the days leading up to the protest, Begley-Huff was hopeful that lots of people would come to the protest. Begley-Huff was a bit concerned about the idea of counter protestors trying to disrupt the protest, but the police kept the demonstrators safe. Begley-Huff recalls that there were many people who made threats against the protest online. Begley-Huff says that some women of color tried to make their reasons for protesting clear to people who were opposed to the protests. Begley-Huff explains that the women of color utilized two approaches to get their message across to antagonizers. First, they asked people to put themselves in the position of having a biracial relative who experienced police brutality and racism. Second, they brought up the fact that Christianity teaches love and acceptance, which is incongruent with the belief that some Christians hold that certain groups of people are better than others simply because they have a different skin color.

Keywords: Black Lives Matter (Organization); Counter protestors; People of color; Small towns

Subjects: African Americans; Black lives matter movement; Blacks; Christianity; COVID-19 (Disease); COVID-19 pandemic, 2020-; Education; Fear; Hazard (Ky.); Kentuckians; Kentucky; Masks; Perry County (Ky.); Police; Protests (Negotiable instruments); Public health; Racism; Safety; Social distancing (Public health); Social media; Threats

Partial Transcript: So, what was it like the crowd--um--during the protest and what stuck out the most to you?

Segment Synopsis: Begley-Huff describes the atmosphere of the protest as heart-wrenching because people were aware of why they were there protesting, but at the same time a sense of solidarity was cultivated amongst the protestors. Begley-Huff felt good that there were so many people there supporting the Black Lives Matter Movement. Begley-Huff recalls one powerful moment in particular when the crowd all got down on their knees for the same amount of time that George Floyd had the knee of Officer Chauvin on his neck. Begley-Huff became emotional at thinking about how someone could be capable of doing something so violent and heinous to another human being.

Keywords: Black Lives Matter (Organization); Derek Chauvin; George Floyd; Kneeling; People of color; Supportive

Subjects: African Americans; Black lives matter movement; Blacks; Crowds; Death; Emotions; Hazard (Ky.); Kentuckians; Kentucky; Perry County (Ky.); Police; Police brutality; Protests (Negotiable instruments); Racial justice; Solidarity; Violence

Partial Transcript: So, what was your call to action? What was the pivotal moment for you that was really like--you were like, "Okay, like, this is enough."

Segment Synopsis: Begley-Huff says that a major turning point in her decision to protest was when she watched the funeral of George Floyd on TV and saw his sister and mother crying. Begley-Huff was also motivated to protest in part because the racist reactions of some people to George Floyd's death angered her. Begley-Huff recalls that she was shocked by the news of Breonna Taylor's death at the hands of police. Seeing the violent responses of police to protests in larger cities made Begley-Huff ashamed to be an American and made her even more determined to protest.

Keywords: Arrests; Black Lives Matter (Organization); Breonna Taylor; George Floyd; News

Subjects: Anger; Black lives matter movement; Death; Discrimination; Empathy; Hazard (Ky.); Kentuckians; Kentucky; Louisville (Ky.); Mother; New York (N.Y.); Perry County (Ky.); Police brutality; Prejudice; Protests (Negotiable instruments); Racism; Sister; Television; Violence; Washington (D.C.)

Partial Transcript: How do you feel like what was being portrayed in the news was different from what you personally experienced when you were protesting . . .

Segment Synopsis: Begley-Huff provides a comparison between media portrayals of the Black Lives Matter Movement protests and her own firsthand experience of attending the BLM protest in Hazard. Begley-Huff says that despite the media portraying the protests in larger cities as being violent, Begley-Huff viewed videos on social media which showed that the protests were mostly peaceful. For instance, Begley-Huff says that the media was trying to make the protests in Louisville seem violent even though videos that Begley-Huff viewed on social media from people at the protests showed people demonstrating peacefully holding signs.

Keywords: Media; Videos

Subjects: Black lives matter movement; Cities; Hazard (Ky.); Kentuckians; Kentucky; Louisville (Ky.); Marching; Perry County (Ky.); Police; Protests (Negotiable instruments); Social media; Violence

Partial Transcript: So, did you receive any like non-violent training or--um--any like safety protocols before you went to the protest, was there anything that you were like, told or warned about?

Segment Synopsis: Begley-Huff prepared for the protest using a Facebook group set up by the organizers of the protest. Begley-Huff says that the organizers of the protest emphasized non-violent demonstration techniques and to be prepared for counter protestors yelling racial slurs or other obscenities. Begley-Huff was also warned to stay calm and not to lash out against counter protestors. Begley-Huff was also instructed to take shelter if the protest became violent and to prioritize her own individual safety over others.

Keywords: Black Lives Matter (Organization); Instructions; Non-violence; Preparations

Subjects: Black lives matter movement; Facebook (Electronic resource); Hazard (Ky.); Kentuckians; Kentucky; Perry County (Ky.); Protests (Negotiable instruments); Safety; Slurs

Partial Transcript: --Um--so how do you understand and value Breonna Taylor's life and death?

Segment Synopsis: Begley-Huff describes the death of Breonna Taylor at the hands of police as tragic and devastating. Begley-Huff says that is important to remember Breonna Taylor as time passes since her death. Begley-Huff felt like she knew Breonna Taylor since her story was shared so widely to the public. Begley-Huff adds that Breonna Taylor's story highlights the need for police reform in Louisville. Begley-Huff says that Breonna Taylor's death was a unique situation because she was sleeping when police shot indiscriminately into her apartment. Begley-Huff feels that Breonna Taylor's life was tragically cut short for no reason. Begley-Huff wanted to participate in the protests so that she could protect her friends from police brutality. Begley-Huff also wanted to express her support for people of color experiencing police violence by showing up to protest and supporting the Black Lives Matter Movement.

Keywords: Allies; Black Lives Matter (Organization); Breonna Taylor; People of color; Police reform; Supportive

Subjects: Black lives matter movement; Bullets; Death; Hazard (Ky.); Kentuckians; Kentucky; Louisville (Ky.); Perry County (Ky.); Police; Police brutality; Protests (Negotiable instruments); Racism; Traffic stops (Law enforcement); Violence; Weapons

Partial Transcript: So--um--are you or were you involved in any of the BLM or other organizations?

Segment Synopsis: Begley-Huff says that she was not involved in the Black Lives Matter organization prior to the summer of 2020 protests, but is more outspoken in her beliefs of eliminating police brutality since then. Begley-Huff says that participating in the protests helped her to find more likeminded people who supported the Black Lives Matter Movement. In terms of defund the police, Begley-Huff believes that all police officers need to be sent back to police academies in order to receive further training. Begley-Huff says that police took an oath to serve and protect their communities but are now choosing which citizens they actually treat with human dignity and respect. Begley-Huff believes that police need to serve and protect all citizens regardless of their racial, religious or cultural identities.

Keywords: Black Lives Matter (Organization); Defund the Police Movement; Police academies; Police reform

Subjects: Black lives matter movement; Education; Hazard (Ky.); Kentuckians; Kentucky; Perry County (Ky.); Police; Police brutality; Power; Protection; Protests (Negotiable instruments); Racial justice; Values

Partial Transcript: If there was something that you could incorporate into their training or if there was something that you could do to make training for police officers more effective, what do you think that would be?

Segment Synopsis: Begley-Huff says that she heard from people whose families were police officers that police academies taught recruits not to aim their firearms at people unless they are armed. Begley-Huff says that it is strange for such an emphasis to be placed on not aiming firearms at unarmed people in police training, yet there are many instances of police officers killing unarmed citizens with their guns. Begley-Huff speculates that many police officers enjoy having power over others and are set in their ways and do not want to drop this inherent shoot first mentality, since it is a threat to the status quo. Begley-Huff says that she has limited experience with firing guns, but used to practice target shooting at cans with her father as a young teenager. Begley-Huff recalls that one of the main principles her father taught her was not to aim the gun at others unless they were armed or threatened to kill or harm you.

Keywords: Black Lives Matter (Organization); Gun safety; Police academies; Police reform

Subjects: Black lives matter movement; Firearms; Kentuckians; Kentucky; Police; Police brutality; Power; Protests (Negotiable instruments); Safety; Target practice; Training; Weapons

Partial Transcript: . . . How did participating in the protests of--uh--2020 impact your relationship with your friends or your family or your community?

Segment Synopsis: Begley-Huff says that participating in the protests strengthened her friendships and her relationships with family members. Begley-Huff adds that being part of the protests opened her eyes to some friends who did not share common values with her and decided not to be friends with these individuals anymore, especially since Begley-Huff did not want to be associated with people who opposed the Black Lives Matter Movement. Begley-Huff believes that the vast majority of news media outlets did not accurately report on the protests. Begley-Huff says that CNN was media outlet that came the closest to accurately portraying the protests. Begley-Huff adds that all of the news media outlets were biased in some way and slanted their coverage of the protests to reflect the narrative they wanted to present to viewers rather than the objective truth about what was happening on the ground at the protests. Begley-Huff believes that she could only get a sense of what was actually going on through social media, since there were videos showing firsthand accounts of people attending the protests.

Keywords: Black Lives Matter (Organization); CNN; Family; Friends; Media; People of color; Supportive

Subjects: Black lives matter movement; Friendship; Hazard (Ky.); Interpersonal relations; Kentuckians; Kentucky; Perception; Perry County (Ky.); Protests (Negotiable instruments); Social media; Television; Values

Partial Transcript: So what were your--your hopes for the outcomes of the protest?

Segment Synopsis: Begley-Huff knew from the start of the protests that it would take some time to see the impact of the Black Lives Matter Movement on society. Begley-Huff hoped that one outcome of the protests would be to get justice for Breonna Taylor. Overall, Begley-Huff believes that the protests were necessary in that moment in time and she was glad to be a part of the Black Lives Matter Movement. Begley-Huff also learned from the protests that it is important to stand up for your beliefs, especially when it comes to uplifting the voices of marginalized populations who are not often heard. Begley-Huff says that the protests helped her to be outspoken in her beliefs when it comes to supporting BLM. Begley-Huff adds that it is important to tell future generations about the protests, as well as making people aware that racism is still a pervasive issue in American society. Begley-Huff says that is necessary for people to speak up when they see instances of police brutality. Begley-Huff says that many people do not understand what a difference the color of people's skin makes in all aspects of life. For instance, Begley-Huff says that as a white woman, she would not be concerned about being pulled over by police while driving, but many of her friends who identify as people of color would be terrified at the prospect of being stopped by a police officer.

Keywords: Black Lives Matter (Organization); Breonna Taylor; Outcomes; People of color

Subjects: African Americans; black lives matter movement; Blacks; Change; Hazard (Ky.); Justice; Kentuckians; Kentucky; Perry County (Ky.); Police; Police brutality; Protests (Negotiable instruments); Racism; Traffic stops (Law enforcement); Values