Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. left his mark on our nation’s history and in the history of Chicago.
Historian and entertainer Clarence Goodman recently stopped by Nichols Library to talk about just that.
His presentation “In The Belly of The Beast: King in Chicago” discussed the rise of race issues around the city and stories of how Dr. King took on Mayor Daley to push for better living conditions.
Goodman noted the changes he tried to create are often still a struggle today.
“I take the gloves off with this. Race and gender are the two issues in America that the average American has a difficult time discussing. And I could have softened the blow but I chose not to,” explained Goodman. “We grow by being uncomfortable. And I hope that people see that I’m doing this, not to point a finger, as much as to hold up a mirror to all of us in our society because we’ve got a long way to go.”
The presentation also comes as recognition of the 50th anniversary of Dr. King’s death.
Dr. King also made a stop in Naperville in 1960, speaking to students at North Central College.
Naperville News 17’s Christine Lena reports.
