Book Tour Log - Chicago

September 13 – Hull House

Amazing crowd and quite a nice spread provided by Hull House. The room is packed by the time we start and Bill Ayers hosts with humor and of course his casual nature that sets the perfect tone. Later he tells me that we were in a house of Studs’ people. People that I interviewed are in the room as is Fred Klonsky who wrote the books’ first review on his blog. It is interesting watching people see political friends who they haven’t seen recently. Especially great meeting George Drury. Kevin Coval, Kathy Kelly, and Haki Madhubuti speak before I talk about the book. Kevin reads, or I should say acts out, his preface and it’s even more moving than when read. Kathy talks of what Studs’ views would be today of America’s endless wars. Haki reads his poem that concludes the book with emotion, true adoration of Studs, and warmth for the book. After I talk about this and that and the three things that the book does that haven’t been done before, people tell Studs’ stories and ask various questions. Peter Kuttner talks about his experiences with Studs. Steve Robinson, outgoing leader of WFMT, asks who I think is carrying on Studs’ tradition. Hard question because I don’t think anyone really does.  Terry Gross is different. I mention Alex Kotlowitz but I stress that he isn’t Studs. Bernardine and then Lois Baum, later remind me that Amy Goodman might be someone. My thoughts are she does in certain political ways and does get people to say things that they don’t mention on other shows. I come back to one of my main points, Studs’ respect for the people he talked to – the anti-Mike Wallace.

September 14 – Bookends and Beginnings in Evanston

First thing, Stan Kahn, who I played softball with for a year came to the event and appeared to really like it.  Very good feeling.  Big crowd at the store that included two of the people I interviewed, Pearl Hirshfield and Mark Larson as well as Judy Hoffman, who filmed Studs many times. Pearl who was Studs and Ida’s friend and political comrade talked about Studs and Mark Larson spoke about Studs interviewing him on his own racism. Included in the crowd were around 30 students from DePaul and Northwestern who asked some great questions. Young people, or even people younger than my generation, don’t know Studs. Hoping Kevin’s foreword introduces some people. Finally, the couple that owns the store were great hosts.

September 15 – 57st Bookstore with Bill Ayers

First we picked up 97-year old Tim Black, Studs friend, oral historian, teacher, and political activist. I interviewed Tim for the book and he talked about Studs’ bravery as well as white racism in Chicago.  Good crowd with good questions. Some remembrances of Studs and Tim provided wisdom. Bill hosted and helped make the question stage come alive. Good questions from two young people and an interesting selection of attendees. Middle age couple who had just moved from Rockford to Hyde Park and were thrilled to learn more about Studs. Also some young people, two who asked great questions. One about which Studs book he should start with and the other, a young college instructor asked about teaching Working and reaching young people – Tim advised her brilliantly. Finally, Adrian Marin, who is archiving all of the paper/more at Studs’ house came and our conversation after the event was warm, insightful, and wonderful.