Women We Overlooked aired on The New York Times podcast about a month ago. It features an interview with a New York Times obituary writer/researcher and went on to discuss the life of journalist and activist, Ida B. Wells.*
I learned on Sunday’s 60 Minutes feature about the Alabama memorial that there’s a special part of The National Memorial for Peace and Justice dedicated to Wells.
My #unreadshelfproject includes relevant history in: “News for All the People, The Epic Story of Race and the American Media” by Juan Gonzalez and Joseph Torres.
“When she took over as editor of the Memphis “Free Speech” in 1889, Ida B. Wells had already made something of a name for herself challenging racial bigotry.” In 1892, Wells wrote a stunning editorial following the lynching of eight men, after which the offices of the paper were burned down and her life threatened. Wells happened to be out of town that day and subsequently moved to Chicago. From there she “launched a systematic investigation of the hated practice [of lynching] around the country” and wrote about her findings in a series of newspaper articles and a book called “Southern Horrors” … Wells was also active as a teacher, feminist and civil rights leader.
Amy Goodman’s podcast, Democracy Now, interviewed the authors of “News for All People”, here.
Finn was just picked up and I’m off to Salem. Time to order a fridge and hire movers. If time, we will jaunt over to Kane’s — the greenhouse over by Trader Joe’s. My sister’s new place has wide windowsills, perfect for some potted geraniums.
This post is a placeholder, containing some homework for myself — I hope you don’t mind. Wanted to capture these things while they’re still fresh.
* If you don’t know about The Daily — you’re in for a treat. Each episode is only 20 minutes long and yet manages to do interesting and in-depth reporting. They’re an essential part of my news fare these days.
Our individual lives are so full of referents we want to share, wanting others to understand us better. I so understand this…we want to pass on the valuable. I did the same in my latest post but I doubt any one will mine the Links, and it seems to me that less and less folks are able to read my blog on any regular basis and a regular three or four appear on my FB posts. Not complaining just sayin’. These venues plus my notebooks are just me ragging on about my own life and thoughts. Today I’m struck by the photograph of your sister in her empty space. So bare it makes me think of my future in one of those supported housing situations in the City. Something I’ve been investigating because one day in the not too far away, I will need a space like that with an elevator. In your sisters case, she has your help and new walls. Geraniums are so right!
I know what you mean about links and long academic posts. That’s why I said it’s really kinda for me, as a place marker. I got around to watching a clip on the Memorial website late in the day which almost made me cry. I wish I’d watched it before I posted, because Then I would’ve told people to skip everything and listen to those three minutes, if anything.
You don’t have an elevator?
This place is both a huge win for my sister and unavoidably depressing. The sign says “housing for the elderly”. People in the building are aged. But her rent is $600 to $700 / month cheaper and for someone living on SSDI, that’s huge!