Public Newsroom #18: Timuel Black on the Art of Oral History

Historian Timuel Black and writer Audrey Petty discuss the importance of the personal while recording Chicago’s history.

By City Bureau

Audrey Petty, Timuel Black and attendees at Public Newsroom #18 on June 15, 2017. (Photo by Jason Schumer)

On June 15, civil rights leader, educator and oral historian Timuel Black joined author Audrey Petty in conversation at the Public Newsroom, hosted by Build Coffee. Black spoke for nearly two hours, answering questions from Petty and then from the audience, and talked about growing up in Chicago, his experiences in World War II, his thoughts on the importance of hearing oral history from primary sources and much more.

We are getting set up for tonight's #publicnewsroom with Timuel Black and @AudreyNPetty. Come grab some coffee @BuildCoffee and settle in. pic.twitter.com/hlVDrOCZl3

— City Bureau (@city_bureau) June 15, 2017

It's pretty powerful to watch these two in conversation at the #publicnewsroom talking about oral history and Chicago. pic.twitter.com/hNH3SHsNVe

— Andrea Faye Hart (@lenifaye) June 15, 2017

Oral history is not necessarily academic -- it's the story of a time and a place that others lived - Dr. Black #publicnewsroom

— Mari Cohen (@maricohen95) June 15, 2017

"A better world is available. I want young people to talk to their elders about the world they lived in." - Dr. Tim Black #publicnewsroom pic.twitter.com/KljUaX8Y0N

— Build Coffee (@BuildCoffee) June 16, 2017

Dr. Timuel Black: "I've been a recipient of oral history all my life." #publicnewsroom

— Mari Cohen (@maricohen95) June 15, 2017

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Audrey Petty and Dr. Timuel Black at Public Newsroom #18 on June 15, 2017. (Photo by Jason Schumer)

"Don't tell them what they're supposed to say. Let them say it" when doing oral history interviews -Dr. Black #publicnewsroom

— Mari Cohen (@maricohen95) June 16, 2017

Dr. Black takes us through the story of Phillips High School, showing the history that Chicago school buildings contain #publicnewsroom

— Mari Cohen (@maricohen95) June 15, 2017

@AudreyNPetty talks about high stakes of sharing stories about high rise public housing that is no longer standing #publicnewsroom pic.twitter.com/2nZCOGn7Qo

— Mari Cohen (@maricohen95) June 16, 2017

Powerful to think about the meeting of generations here at the #publicnewsroom, as a baby in the audience hears Dr. Black tell his story

— Mari Cohen (@maricohen95) June 16, 2017

"At 98, why quit?" -Dr. Timuel Black #publicnewsroom

— Mari Cohen (@maricohen95) June 16, 2017

Dr. Timuel Black at #PublicNewsroom on Public Newsroom #18 on June 15, 2017. (Photo by Jason Schumer)

It was a gift to be in conversation with Dr. Black in the #PublicNewsroom tonight. So grateful for his grit and grace and brilliance.

— Audrey Petty (@AudreyNPetty) June 16, 2017

Thanks to all who came!

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