“Family Archaeologist” explores a century of family letters, diaries, and artifacts, and how they illuminate history and our shared humanity. To get an overview of the blog, click: “Welcome to Family Archaeologist”
LATEST BLOG POSTS
Bluelining as climate crises become apocalyptic
With fires raging along our entire West Coast, flooding from hurricanes, and unprecedented heat, a climate specialist sees "bluelining" as the new "redlining."
Juneteenth: A holiday a long time in coming
I had never heard of Juneteenth. It never came up in any aspect of my education, not in grade school, high school, nor college; not in general history, Social Studies, nor American History. I guess the wisdom of textbooks and curricula for all our country's youth was to ignore that enslaved African Americans living in Texas had never learned that they'd been freed by the Emancipation Proclamation, declared two and a half years prior to their hearing about it.
West Madison St. Looting & Destruction—1968 revisited
The looting last week of stores on West Madison was déjà vu for me. I remember the looting and arson after Dr. King’s murder in 1968. In the past 52 years, the city has ignored and disinvested in East and West Garfield. The federal policy of redlining destroyed African American prospects for wealth. I remember and compare 1968 to now and the absolute need to invest in the neediest communities of our city.
Murdering George Floyd
A Minneapolis police officer keeps his knee on the neck of a non-resisting Black man for NINE minutes, killing him.
Redlined, two years old in the midst of COVID-19
Reading is essential during the COVID-19 "stay home" orders. "Redlined's" 2nd birthday is Friday. Share this page-turner with friends and teens who want a story for pleasure AND learning. Redlining's legacy will stay with us after the pandemic has passed. Read on.
Joy in the time of Coronavirus—Jackie Wilson, Fred Astaire & Rita Hayworth
Hi wonderful followers. I'm a true believer that art in the time of disaster is the most soothing comfort of all. We see it popping up everywhere, Yo-Yo Ma playing Dvorak, Italian tenor, Maurizio Marchini serenading from his balcony in Florence, and more. Here's a link to what I think will get you snapping your fingers, jumping up to dance [...]
Martin Luther King: Are we there yet?
On Martin Luther King Day, let's celebrate his legacy by looking back at what he was fighting for and against. I make suggestions for a few books that helped me to gain a clearer perspective on the history of Black Americans.
Dad died 30 years ago today. A tribute
A tribute to my Dad, Fred, who died thirty years ago today.
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