Quinton “Skip” Wilson had the distinction of being the only person of color to attend Biddeford schools during the 1960’s and 1970’s.  His father was born in Bermuda and his mother was a Narragansett Indian. He attributes his positive experience to the extensive community involvement of his parents as well as the support of his friends.  As an honor student and standout athlete in several sports, Skip shares many stories from his fond memories growing up in Biddeford.  He also reflects on some of the very personal challenges associated with being from a different ethnic background.

Skip went on to graduate from Boston College and lived in that area for many years, where he had a career in management at UPS.  Personal circumstances led him to move to New York as opposed to returning to Biddeford.  He has many fond memories of our community and shares that he hopes to come back and visit “home” once travel challenges associated with the current pandemic improve.

QUINTON “SKIP” WILSON

INTERVIEW DETAILS

Date of Interview: June 25,2020
Location:  via telephone
Interviewer: Nicole Morin-Scribner
Transcriber: Nicole Morin-Scribner

SELECTED INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

  • Challenges with finding housing and then going to school, as the only people of color in the community…and how they overcame that.

  • “It’s so funny how once the stigma was broken, it was like a dam opened up.  We were so involved in everything that the whole race thing literally just went “poof” and disappeared.” 
  • “I care about certain things that have nothing to do with race at all.  The day that I was accepted at Kennedy Elementary, all of that went away.  The world accepted me. I now accept the world completely.  I’ll never look at color again or see it.  Because the color in me disappeared.”  
  • The role his parents played, volunteering in various community organizations. 
  • Sports highlights from little league to high school athletics including a standout performance as a freshman on the varsity football team.
  • The positive impact of having numerous close friends and admired teachers/coaches.
  • The truth about whether he was totally accepted and the profound effect on his personal life.

DEMOGRAPHICS

Birthplace:  Providence,Rhode Island

Education:  Biddeford High Schoo
                       Boston College 

Ethnic Identification:  Native American