Chicago Public Library, Storycorps Want Your Tales Of Migration
By Chuck Sudo in Arts & Entertainment on Jun 17, 2013 7:45PM
Isabel Wilkerson’s The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration is a fitting “One Book, One Chicago” selection from the Chicago Public Library for the intertwined histories Wilkerson weaves in her larger look at The Great Migration of the 20th century. From 1940-1960 the black population in Chicago increased from 278,000 to 813,000, helped spur the Golden Age of Bronzeville and brought the city an untold number of cultural, social, culinary and artistic treasures. Books like The Warmth of Other Suns and Timuel Black’s two volume Bridges to memory oral histories on the Great Migration only scratch the surface of the tales told about African-American’s seeking a better life in the North.
Inspired by Wilkerson’s book, the Chicago Public Library has teamed up with the national oral history project Storycorps to set up a series of events where Chicagoans can tell their stories of “migration:” How you made Chicago home and how your community has been shaped by migrants.
The great thing about these “Storycorps @ your library events” is that they’re open to all, provided you register for a one-hour session. You can bring a family member, a friend or a loved one with you to help add context, color and detail to your specific story. In July these will be held at the Chinatown Library branch (2353 S. Wentworth Avenue) July 10 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. July 13. Recordings of oral histories will also take place at the Avalon Library branch (8148 S. Stony Island Avenue) 4-7 p.m. July 24, and noon- 3 p.m. July 27.
Check out the remaining dates to record your oral history here and register by calling 312-747-8191 or email onebookonechicago@gmail.com.