United States History Commons^™

Interview With Reverend Bill Maloney, Edward Seitz

Chicago 1968

Length: 122 minutes

Interview with Reverend Bill Maloney by Edward Seitz

Rev. Maloney begins by explaining how, by virtue of their location alone, his church was at the center of the Conspiracy Seven [aka Chicago Seven] trial, when protesters, press and police would meet inside their building. He then talks about his childhood in East Liverpool, Ohio, growing up a very observant Lutheran family, participating in his high school newspaper and theater, and later, his college radio station. He recalls his time at Youngstown State University studying philosophy and sociology, his experiences in seminary school at Hammond Divinity School, and …

Interview With Reverend H. Kris Ronnow, Sarah Moore

Chicago 1968

Length: 74 minutes

Interview with Rev. H. Kris Ronnow by Sarah Moore

Rev. Ronnow describes his childhood in Saint Paul, Minnesota, raised in a working-class Presbyterian family, attending a desegregated high school and later, Macalester College. He explains his move to Chicago, earning a master in social work and attending seminary simultaneously, while also marrying and starting a family. He tells of how he decided to become a priest and what led to his involvement in community organizing, including the Interreligious Counsel of Urban Affairs. He recounts his activism work and marching with Martin Luther King, Jr. He recalls the …

Interview With Reverend Dr. Stan Davis, Dawn Butler

Chicago 1968

Length: 116 minutes

Interview with Reverend Stan Davis by Dawn Butler

Rev. Davis begins by sharing details about himself, his family, and his early years in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, and his religious community, the Church of the Brethren. He talks about growing up during World War II and how he first became aware of prejudice, witnessing the internment of the Japanese-American community. He recalls his studies at Juniata College and his decision to attend Bethany Theological. He describes moving to North Lawndale, a diverse immigrant community that underwent drastic demographic changes as a result of unscrupulous lending practices designed to move …

Interview With Reverend Dr. Larry Greenfield, Lauren Kostiuk

Chicago 1968

Length: 76 minutes

Interview with Larry Greenfield by Lauren Kostiuk

Rev. Greenfield begins by describing organizations he’s been involved with, devoted to religious ethics and social justice, protecting the rights of women, gender and sexual minorities, economic justice, and other related causes. He recounts his early years in Sioux Falls with his parents and how his religious involvement prompted questions about equality and social justice. He then recounts his time at the University of Chicago, where he began his involvement in political activism and civil rights. He recalls in detail his experiences at the Democratic National Convention, serving as a …

Interview With Jack Wuest, Grace Fanning

Chicago 1968

Length: 63 minutes

Interview with Jack Wuest by Grace Fanning

Mr. Wuest begins by outlining the details of his childhood, family, and early education. He describes his role in the draft resistance during the Vietnam War, and describes the process the young men were subjected to as part of the draft. He recalls his time working with the Juvenile Protective Association which is what first brought him into contact with the Democratic National Convention protests. He recalls witnessing the police violence perpetrated against protesters. He remembers his reactions to the assassinations of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert Kennedy. He …

Interview With James A. "Jim" Aull, Jeremiah Morales

Chicago 1968

Length: 120 minutes

Interview with James A. "Jim" Aull by Jeremiah Morales

Mr. Aull begins by describing his childhood in a rural community outside of Philadelphia, living with his parents, sister, and paternal grandmother. He describes his experiences in school, including the required church attendance and his first social service activities through the boarding school programs serving poor communities. While at Princeton, he says he became involved with the YCMA and Christian student organizations, leading to his involvement in civil rights. He recalls his travels through the Soviet Union and Turkey. He recalls his time at the Chicago Theological Seminary …

Interview With Father Dominic Grassi, Paul Brennan

Chicago 1968

Length: 105 minutes

Interview with Father Dominic Grassi by Paul Brennan

Fr. Dominic Grassi begins his interview by detailing his childhood, growing up the youngest of five to Italian immigrant parents on the North side of Chicago, He credits his high school work with the children at Cabrini Greens for introducing him to the community service aspect of religious life and recalls the significant role the priests played in his early years. He describes daily life at the college seminary and the formation of his religious vocation amidst “almost a tsunami” of worlds events: the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights …

Interview With Reverend Dr. B. Herbert Martin Sr., Matthew Kevin Robinson

Chicago 1968

Length: 84 minutes

Interview with Reverend B. Herbert Martin, Sr. by Matthew Kevin Robinson

Rev. Martin begins by describing his childhood in Mound Bayou, Mississippi, the oldest all-Black community in America, with his parents, grandparents, and nine siblings. He describes his strong religious upbringing and how he was called to ministry at the age of nine. He recounts being attacked and severely beaten by a group of “vigilante” white men for trying to register Black people to vote. He talks of his time at Philander Smith College, working for a wealthy retired counsel general, and the first churches he pastored …

Interview With William "Bill" Southwick, Nancy Salto

Chicago 1968

Length: 50 minutes

Interview with William Southwick by Nancy Salto

Rev. Southwick begins by recalling the start of his activism work, running Northside Cooperative Ministry coffeehouse while serving as a minister. He explains how he first became involved in the anti-war protests through acquaintances in the Japanese-American community. He recalls the impact that both the DNC and Dr. King’s assassination had on Chicago and the effect it had on the more militant elements in the movement, like the Weather Underground. He compares the student protests in Chicago to other demonstrations and anti-war movements around the country. He describes the kind …

Interview With Reverend Dr. Michael Pfleger, Jesse Betend

Chicago 1968

Length: 76 minutes

Interview with Reverend Michael Pfleger by Jesse Betend.

In his interview with Jesse Betend, Reverend Michael Pfleger discusses his life leading up to his involvement with the Civil Rights Movement in 1968. He recalls how his childhood and early experiences affected his later work, his religious yet very progressively outspoken family and attending a highly diverse high school (Quigley Preparatory Seminary South). He recalls his first exposures to racism and segregation through family friends, classmates, and work with Native American and Black communities. He describes the violence perpetrated by his own community during a speech by Dr. …

Interview With George Schmidt, Melena Grace Nicholson

Chicago Anti-Apartheid Movement

Length: 154 minutes

Oral history interview of George Schmidt by Melena Grace Nicholson

Chicago Public School teacher and union activist, George Schmidt discusses his work as editor of Substance a newspaper covering public education that he helped found in 1975. His activism was sparked during his college years and he recounts his work during his teaching career. He was involved in the G.I. movement and military counseling, working with ZANU (Zimbabwe African National Union), and people in Angola and Mozambique, before becoming a teacher. His interest in military counseling and the G.I. movement stems from his own parents’ experience during …

Interview With Clarice Durham, Lauren Ashley Alexander

Chicago Anti-Apartheid Movement

Length: 95 minutes

Oral history interview of Clarice Durham by Lauren Ashley Alexander

Clarice Durham recalls her childhood and recounts her work with the Illinois NAACP, The National Anti-Imperialist Movement in Solidarity with African Liberation (NAIMSAL), and as co-chair of the National Alliance Against Racial and Political Oppression. She campaigned for justice in the Scottsboro Boys case in 1931, attended the founding convention of the Progressive Party in 1948, and participated in the March on Washington in 1963. As Durham recaps her trip to South Africa, she recalls the change it had on her and her views of the movement. …

Untitled [Thank You Letter], Basil Clunie, Rachel Rubin, Ruth Bedell

Soweto Day Walkathon

A thank you letter issued to participants of the 1989 Soweto Day Walkathon in Chicago, Illinois.

Save The Date: Help Free South African Detainees, Chicago Committee In Solidarity With Southern Africa, Church World Service

Soweto Day Walkathon

A flyer for the Soweto Day 1989 Walkathon in Chicago, Illinois providing information about the walkathon and rally.

Soweto Day '89 Walker's Route Sheet, Chicago Committee In Solidarity With Southern Africa, Church World Service

Soweto Day Walkathon

An information sheet explaining the route and instructions for the walkers of the 1989 Soweto Day Walkathon in Chicago, Illinois.

Untitled [National Council Of Churches Information Sheet On Soweto Day]

Soweto Day Walkathon

An information sheet explaining the National Council of Churches' involvment in the Soweto Day observances in Chicago, Illinois between Pentacost (May 14) and Soweto Day (June 16) in 1989.

Soweto Day '89 Walkathon

Soweto Day Walkathon

A flyer for the Soweto Day 1989 Walkathon in Chicago, Illinois providing information about the walkathon route and rally.

Soweto Day Walkathon June 17, 1989 Marshall Information Sheet

Soweto Day Walkathon

An information sheet explaining the route and instructions for the marshalls of the 1989 Soweto Day Walkathon in Chicago, Illinois.

Support South African Detainees, Chicago Committee In Solidarity With Southern Africa, Church World Service

Soweto Day Walkathon

A brochure for the Soweto Day 1989 Walkathon in Chicago, Illinois providing information on why activists were marching for this cause, how to join the event, and about imprisoned detainees.

Soweto Day Walkathon Certificate Of Appreciation, Chicago Committee In Solidarity With Southern Africa, Church World Service

Soweto Day Walkathon

A certificate of appreciation issued to participants of the 1989 Soweto Day Walkathon in Chicago, Illinois.

Soweto Day Rally, Illinois Labor Network Against Apartheid, Chicago Committee In Solidarity With Southern Africa

Soweto Day Walkathon

A flyer for the Soweto Day 1989 Rally in Chicago, Illinois following the walkathon.

Application For Permit - Special Event Using The Public Way, Chicago Committee In Solidarity With Southern Africa

Soweto Day Walkathon

The application submitted by the Chicago Committeee in Solidarity with Southern Africa (CCISSA) to the Dpartment of Public Works for the City of Chicago, Illinois to use city streets for the 1989 Soweto Day Walkathon. This document includes a copy of the permit issued to CCISSA by the Department of Public Works for this event.

Untitled [Informational Letter By Ccissa Co-Chairs], Basil Clunie, Rachel Rubin

Soweto Day Walkathon

A paper by the co-chairs of the Chicago Committee in Solidarity with Southern Africa (CCISSA) explaining why they will be co-hosting a Soweto Day Walkathon in Chicago, Illinois with Church World Services.

Ccissa Briefing, Chicago Committee In Solidarity With Southern Africa

Chicago Committee in Solidarity with Southern Africa (CCISSA) Documents

The Spring 1989 newsletter of the Chicago Committee in Solidarity with Southern Africa (CCISSA).

Soweto Day '89 Walkathon Registration Procedure

Soweto Day Walkathon

A document outlining the procedures for registering for the 1989 Soweto Day Walkathon in Chicago, Illinois.

Untitled [Map Of Chicago, Illinois]

Soweto Day Walkathon

A map of Chicago, Illinois detailing the route of the 1989 Soweto Day Walkathon.

How To Do A Walkathon, Mike Mihaljevich

Soweto Day Walkathon

A booklet of instructions and practical advice on how to host an effective protest walkathon.

End Apartheid Support South African Women's Day!, Coalition Of Labor Union Women Chicago Chapter

Chicago Committee in Solidarity with Southern Africa (CCISSA) Documents

A flyer for a demonstration and march to the South African Consulate in Chicago, Illinois to advocate for South African Women's Day.

Get Up, Stand Up!, Chicago Committee In Solidarity With Southern Africa, Committee In Solidarity With The People Of El Salvador

Chicago Committee in Solidarity with Southern Africa (CCISSA) Documents

A flyer for an event for a music video dance for human rights jointly hosted by the Chicago Committee in Solidarity with Southern Africa (CCISSA) and the Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES)

Chicago Demonstrates Against Apartheid Soweto Day June 16

Chicago Committee in Solidarity with Southern Africa (CCISSA) Documents

A flyer for a demonstration and march to the South African Consulate in Chicago, Illinois in commemoration of the Soweto Uprising, hosted by various Chicago area anti-apartheid groups.