Cynthia Lovett: Week 2 @ The HistoryMakers

 Last week I worked with the interview of Illinois Senator James F. Clayborne, and completed it this week. Clayborne filled the seat of Senator Kenneth Hall who passed away during his term.  When Clayborne was first elected, Republicans were attempting to shut down East St. Louis Board of Election because of an accusation of voter fraud.  However Clayborne worked with Republicans across the aisle to save the East St. Louis Board of Election.

I also created evaluations for the interview of Dr. Billie Wright Adams, a pediatrician in the Chicago area.  Dr. Adams grew up in Bluefield, West Virginia, which she described as the gateway to the coalmines.  Bluefield was a cultural, musical, and industrial hub. It was a college town with two neighboring schools, Bluefield State University and Bluefield College. Many jazz musicians such as Duke Ellington, as well as writers and intellectuals such as Langston Hughes and Thurgood Marshall passed through Bluefield while Dr. Wright was growing up there.

This week our topic of African American History with Christopher Reed focused on the American Revolution and and what that meant for slavery.  While Britain and the colonies of America were fighting their battles, African Americans who were enslaved were deciding which side would better further their cause.  We also discussed how the 18th century Enlightenment influenced a consciousness shift with regards to the natural rights of slaves in the 1800s. Many of them even sued for their freedom.

One of the week's highlights was our visit to the Carter G. Woodson library here in Chicago.  Archivist Beverly Cook told us: "Being an archivist is being a public servant.” She also added that it means being a bit nosey.  Upon walking into the library, we were greeted with the sculpture of Richard Hunt's "Jacobs Ladder."  Beverly detailed the history of the Vivian H. Harsh Collection and gave us a tour of the building.  We had the chance to  see the processing room, the deacidification chamber, and special room that housed archives and manuscripts with ultraviolet filtered lights.  It was also nice to see their display honoring the late and great Ray Bradbury. 

Later in the week, Professor Cecilia Salvatore, from Dominican University gave us some indexing exercises that we can apply to our evaluations and finding aids.  Professor Salvatore will be available every week for questions, which will be very helpful as we move forward.