Tom Dent interviews David W. Hodo in Selma, Alabama. He says he grew up in Alexander City, Alabama, which is about 90 miles northeast of Selma. It was a town of about 12,000 people then. His mother was originally from Selma, and his grandfather used to be in the lumber business in Selma. He went to Auburn University and went to Medical School at UAB in Birmingham afterwards. Afterwards he was a surgery intern in Charleston at the medical college of South Carolina in 1969. Then he moved to a suburb of Boston and was a surgery intern for six months. Afterwards he joined the navy as a medical officer. When he returned from service he began at Tulane University as a consultant. He moved back to Selma in 1975. They discuss a mutual acquaintance named Bill. Hodo comments on the difference in being a Civil Rights advocate as a White man and as a Black man. He had a friend who was Black tell him that he, as a White man, could leave the movement whenever he wished without negative consequences because he was White. Hodo questions whether or not this is true. They compare race relations in the various neighboring cities. They talk about Rose Saunders; her temperament, strategies and reputation. They talk about Hodo's experience during the controversy over levels in the Selma School System. Hodo talks about his decision to return to Selma. He became the first psychiatrist in Selma and had family there. He enjoyed that it was a small, but not isolated, town. He says it is a lot of work and responsibility, he is often very busy. Hodo says he ran for the House of Representatives last year. Hodo says he believes he is well thought of by the community. He also does not believe his involvement in the controversy over the school really hurt his work practice. They discuss Norward Roussell as a person. Hodo theorizes that the controversy over the schools system might have had more to do with people disliking Roussell then protecting the system of levels. They talk about the way Selma has changed since the controversy.
