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Image for event: Did Black Lives Matter In Early Illinois?

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Did Black Lives Matter In Early Illinois?

Voices from the brink of slavery and freedom

2022-02-28 14:00:00 2022-02-28 15:00:00 America/Chicago Did Black Lives Matter In Early Illinois? zoom -

Monday, February 28
2:00pm - 3:00pm

Add to Calendar 2022-02-28 14:00:00 2022-02-28 15:00:00 America/Chicago Did Black Lives Matter In Early Illinois? Dr. Caroline Kisiel, an Illinois Humanities Road Scholar, presents a program about the struggle over whether the new State of Illinois would remain a free state or become a slave state. zoom -

Dr. Caroline Kisiel, an Illinois Humanities Road Scholar, presents a program about the struggle over whether the new State of Illinois would remain a free state or become a slave state.

In 1818, Illinois entered the United States with a Constitution declaring itself a free state, following the guidance of the 1787 Northwest Ordinance, which outlawed slavery north of the Ohio River. But slavery’s roots went back centuries in the region, and its hold on the young state was strong. In the first years of statehood, the Illinois legislature had a number of proslavery advocates who made a bold attempt to change the Constitution to allow slavery. They had already succeeded in building in limited slavery clauses into the 1818 Constitution which were to sunset in 1825, and they now wished to expand this foothold. Other voices vehemently fought against them, ultimately prevailing to preserve the free state.

Who were these voices advocating for a permanent constitutional change to allow slavery? And who stood up against them, preserving the free state of Illinois we know? And ultimately, in what ways did these opposing voices support Black lives, or not? This performance-presentation offers a dramatic reading/adaptation of the voices of three key proslavery figures (Territorial Governor, Ninian Edwards; secretary of the Illinois Territory, Joseph P. Phillips; and proslavery delegate, Adolphus Frederick Hubbard) and three antislavery figures (Governor Edward Coles; anti-convention legislator, Nicholas Hansen; English emigrant and Illinois Secretary of State, Morris Birkbeck) from this period.

While stories of prominent antislavery figures from later years are more widely recognized (Elijah Lovejoy, Abraham Lincoln), the very early years of statehood were marked by a significant struggle for and against slavery that illuminates the inheritance of what some called “old slavery” in the region, and what was often benignly masked as “servitude.” Historical records offer these six figures’ words, which will be given a voice in the twenty-first century through this performance-presentation.

But their voices are only part of the story, as their rationales for or against slavery were not simply black and white, so to speak. After hearing selections from these figures from the past, a brief presentation will illuminate the complexities of their rationales, their backgrounds and views, and the forces that shaped their views. Connections to current debates and our inherited legacies of racial understandings will be explored.

Caroline Kisiel is a public historian and educator who has been teaching for over 25 years. With a background in immigration law, literature, history, storytelling, and performance, Caroline writes and presents on early Illinois history and is currently conducting research on the role of Albion, Illinois in the struggle to keep Illinois slavery-free in the early years of statehood. Her presentations showcase researched information, historical documents, dramatic readings, and can offer facilitated audience engagement activities around critical questions of the value of history and activism through themes of early Illinois struggles to keep slavery at bay in the state and key early Illinois figures in this period.

This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Highland Park Public Library.

This program will not be recorded.

     This is part of the Illinois Humanities Road Scholars program.  Illinois Humanities is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Illinois General Assembly [through the Illinois Arts Council Agency(IACA)], as well as by contributions from individuals, foundations and corporations.Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed by speakers, program participants, or audiences do not necessarily reflect those of the NEH, Illinois Humanities, IACA,our partnering organizations, or our funders.

AGE GROUP: | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | History | Discussion |

TAGS: | Virtual Event |

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Sat, Dec 21, 12:00am - 11:55pm
Virtual
Watch a recording of Louisa May Alcott's classic story from the acclaimed production of London's Park Theatre. Register prior to December 20.
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Sat, Dec 21, 9:30am - 1:30pm
Highland Park Public Library
The Friends of the Library's used book sale will take place on Saturdays in the lower-level lobby from 9:30am-1:30pm. Venta de libros los jueves en el vestíbulo del nivel inferior de 9:30am a 1:30pm.

Sat, Dec 21, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Adult Services
Join us for an afternoon with the Chicago Brass Band, a thirty-piece brass and percussion ensemble composed of cornets, flugel and tenor horns, baritones, euphoniums, trombones, tubas and percussion.

Sun, Dec 22, 12:00am - 11:55pm
Virtual
Watch a recording of Louisa May Alcott's classic story from the acclaimed production of London's Park Theatre. Register prior to December 20. Space is limited.
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Mon, Dec 23, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Create a beautiful winter scene fit for any polar bear. Pick up your kit at the Youth Services desk while supplies last.

Tue, Dec 24, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Create a beautiful winter scene fit for any polar bear. Pick up your kit at the Youth Services desk while supplies last.

Tue, Dec 24, 9:00am - 1:00pm
Highland Park Public Library
Library will close at 1pm.

Wed, Dec 25, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Create a beautiful winter scene fit for any polar bear. Pick up your kit at the Youth Services desk while supplies last.

Wed, Dec 25, 9:00am - 9:00pm
Highland Park Public Library
Christmas

Thu, Dec 26, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Create a beautiful winter scene fit for any polar bear. Pick up your kit at the Youth Services desk while supplies last.

Thu, Dec 26, 11:00am - 4:00pm
Highland Park Public Library
The Friends of the Library's used book sale will take place on Thursdays in the lower-level lobby from 11am-4pm. Venta de libros los jueves en el vestíbulo del nivel inferior de 11am a 4pm.

Fri, Dec 27, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Create a beautiful winter scene fit for any polar bear. Pick up your kit at the Youth Services desk while supplies last.

Fri, Dec 27, 10:30am - 11:30am
Highland Park Public Library - Activity Room
Drop by the Activity Room for a library playdate!

Sat, Dec 28, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Create a beautiful winter scene fit for any polar bear. Pick up your kit at the Youth Services desk while supplies last.

Sat, Dec 28, 9:30am - 1:30pm
Highland Park Public Library
The Friends of the Library's used book sale will take place on Saturdays in the lower-level lobby from 9:30am-1:30pm. Venta de libros los jueves en el vestíbulo del nivel inferior de 9:30am a 1:30pm.

Sat, Dec 28, 2:30pm - 4:30pm
Highland Park Public Library - Adult Services
Join us to play the most popular games you have played this year: Carcassonne, Ticket to Ride, Scrabble, and Chess!

Sun, Dec 29, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Create a beautiful winter scene fit for any polar bear. Pick up your kit at the Youth Services desk while supplies last.

Mon, Dec 30, 10:30am - 11:00am
Highland Park Public Library - Activity Room
Join Miss Kelly in the Activity Room for a musical storytime! For ages 18 months - 3 years. Registration not required but space is limited. Check in at Youth desk starting 30 min prior to event.

Tue, Dec 31, 9:00am - 1:00pm
Highland Park Public Library
The library will close at 1pm.

Wed, Jan 01, 9:00am - 9:00pm
Highland Park Public Library
New Year's Day

Thu, Jan 02, 10:30am - 11:00am
Highland Park Public Library - Activity Room
Join Miss Kelly in the Activity Room for a musical storytime! For ages 18 months - 3 years. Registration not required but space is limited. Check in at Youth desk starting 30 min prior to event.

Thu, Jan 02, 11:00am - 4:00pm
Highland Park Public Library
The Friends of the Library's used book sale will take place on Thursdays in the lower-level lobby from 11am-4pm. Venta de libros los jueves en el vestíbulo del nivel inferior de 11am a 4pm.

Thu, Jan 02, 11:30am - 12:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Activity Room
Join Miss Kelly in the Activity Room for a musical storytime! For ages 18 months - 3 years. Registration not required but space is limited. Check in at Youth desk starting 30 min prior to event.

Fri, Jan 03, 10:00am - 2:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Activity Room
Feeling crafty? Drop by the Activity Room and make something creative! We'll have a variety of DIY crafts to choose from. Program runs until 2pm or while supplies last.

Sat, Jan 04, 9:30am - 1:30pm
Highland Park Public Library
The Friends of the Library's used book sale will take place on Saturdays in the lower-level lobby from 9:30am-1:30pm. Venta de libros los jueves en el vestíbulo del nivel inferior de 9:30am a 1:30pm.

Mon, Jan 06, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Activity Room
Drop by the Activity Room for chess!

Tue, Jan 07, 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Highland Park Public Library - Activity Room
Local homeschool families meet up.

Tue, Jan 07, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Highland Park Public Library - Lower-Level Meeting Room/Auditorium
¿Hablas español? Join us for Spanish Conversation - Participe en el grupo de conversación en español.

Cancelled
Wed, Jan 08, 10:00am - 10:30am
Highland Park Public Library
Registration not required but space is limited. Check in at the Youth Services desk up to 30 min. prior to start time. Ages 0 - 18 months.

Wed, Jan 08, 11:00am - 9:00pm
Highland Park Public Library
The library will open at 11am on the first Wednesday of each month for staff meetings except January and December.

Cancelled
Wed, Jan 08, 11:30am - 12:00pm
Highland Park Public Library
Registration not required but space is limited. Check in at the Youth Services desk up to 30 min. prior to start time. Ages 0 - 18 months.

Wed, Jan 08, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Meeting Room 8
We?ll provide the journals; you provide the inspiration! Start off the year by setting up a junk journal to keep track of all the great memories you?ll make in 2025!

Thu, Jan 09, 11:00am - 4:00pm
Highland Park Public Library
The Friends of the Library's used book sale will take place on Thursdays in the lower-level lobby from 11am-4pm. Venta de libros los jueves en el vestíbulo del nivel inferior de 11am a 4pm.

Thu, Jan 09, 6:30pm - 7:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Activity Room
Put on your jammies and join us for a fun family storytime featuring stories, songs, and more. Registration is not required, but space is limited. Check in at Youth Desk begins at 6 p.m.

Thu, Jan 09, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual - Zoom
Join us on Zoom when Steve Dolinsky, Food Guy reporter at NBC 5 (Chicago) dishes on the styles, locales, and people that make the Windy City a prime destination for slices and pies.
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Sat, Jan 11, 9:30am - 1:30pm
Highland Park Public Library
The Friends of the Library's used book sale will take place on Saturdays in the lower-level lobby from 9:30am-1:30pm. Venta de libros los jueves en el vestíbulo del nivel inferior de 9:30am a 1:30pm.

Sat, Jan 11, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Activity Room
Explore sensory bins with your little ones! Sensory play allows kids to connect ideas with concrete experiences, strengthen neural pathways, and build motor skills.

Mon, Jan 13, 10:30am - 11:00am
Highland Park Public Library - Activity Room
Join Miss Kelly in the Activity Room for a musical storytime! For ages 18 months - 3 years. Registration not required but space is limited. Check in at Youth desk starting 30 min prior to event.

Mon, Jan 13, 1:00pm - 1:45pm
Highland Park Public Library - Lower-Level Meeting Room/Auditorium
This group is for adults with intellectual, developmental or cognitive disabilities, run in conjunction with local groups. We listen to and discuss a short story each session.

Tue, Jan 14, 1:00pm - 1:30pm
Highland Park Public Library
Read stories, sing songs, & more at this storytime, just for preschoolers and their caregiver! **Registration not required but space is limited. Check in begins at Youth Services desk at 12:30 am.

Tue, Jan 14, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Highland Park Public Library - Lower-Level Meeting Room/Auditorium
¿Hablas español? Join us for Spanish Conversation - Participe en el grupo de conversación en español.

Tue, Jan 14, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Highland Park Public Library - Lower-Level Meeting Room/Auditorium
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Historian and Curator Dr. Daniel Greene will speak about challenges the museum faces to protect the truth of the Holocaust.

Wed, Jan 15, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Lobby
Bring your device to learn how to download Libby, an app to enjoy reading digitally! ¡Traiga su dispositivo para aprender cómo descargar Libby, una aplicación para disfrutar la lectura digital!

Wed, Jan 15, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Lower-Level Meeting Room/Auditorium
City of Highland Park Speaker Series on Hefty Renew Program

Thu, Jan 16, 10:30am - 11:00am
Highland Park Public Library - Activity Room
Join Miss Kelly in the Activity Room for a musical storytime! For ages 18 months - 3 years. Registration not required but space is limited. Check in at Youth desk starting 30 min prior to event.

Thu, Jan 16, 11:00am - 4:00pm
Highland Park Public Library
The Friends of the Library's used book sale will take place on Thursdays in the lower-level lobby from 11am-4pm. Venta de libros los jueves en el vestíbulo del nivel inferior de 11am a 4pm.

Thu, Jan 16, 11:30am - 12:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Activity Room
Join Miss Kelly in the Activity Room for a musical storytime! For ages 18 months - 3 years. Registration not required but space is limited. Check in at Youth desk starting 30 min prior to event.

Cancelled
Thu, Jan 16, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Highland Park Public Library
Join us to celebrate the end of year with snacks, music, and good company!

Fri, Jan 17, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Highland Park Public Library - Activity Room
Come take a turn with Mario and the gang! Play MarioKart on the Wii and test your racing skills. Drop in.

Sat, Jan 18, 9:30am - 1:30pm
Highland Park Public Library
The Friends of the Library's used book sale will take place on Saturdays in the lower-level lobby from 9:30am-1:30pm. Venta de libros los jueves en el vestíbulo del nivel inferior de 9:30am a 1:30pm.

Sat, Jan 18, 10:00am - 10:30am
Highland Park Public Library - Activity Room
Join us for a bilingual family storytime! Space is limited. ¡Acompáñanos para un tiempo de cuentos familiar bilingüe! Espacios son limitados.

Mon, Jan 20, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Highland Park Public Library - Activity Room
Join us to create amazing snow-themed crafts as unique as snowflakes while supplies last. Drop in. Ages 5 to 14.