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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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Upcoming events

Thu, Jun 19, 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, Jun 19, 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.

Thu, Jun 19, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Highland Park Senior Center - MCAFE 11
Join us for Memory Café, a welcoming and safe space for individuals with memory loss and mild cognitive impairment. Caregivers and loved ones are encouraged to attend.  

Fri, Jun 20, 10:30am - 11:00am
Highland Park Public Library - Activity Room
Each week, hear stories, sing songs, and make a craft honoring a different part of the world.

Fri, Jun 20, 1:00pm - 1:30pm
Highland Park Public Library - Meeting Room 2
Can you break into the treasure chest?
This event is full

Fri, Jun 20, 1:15pm - 1:45pm
Highland Park Public Library - Meeting Room 3
Can you break into the treasure chest?

Fri, Jun 20, 1:45pm - 2:15pm
Highland Park Public Library - Meeting Room 2
Can you break into the treasure chest?

Fri, Jun 20, 2:00pm - 2:30pm
Highland Park Public Library - Meeting Room 3
Can you break into the treasure chest?

Fri, Jun 20, 2:30pm - 3:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Meeting Room 2
Can you break into the treasure chest?

Fri, Jun 20, 2:45pm - 3:15pm
Highland Park Public Library - Meeting Room 3
Can you break into the treasure chest?

Tue, Jun 24, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Activity Room
Ages 5 - 14. Join us in the Activity Room to find out how the world works with different science experiments!
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Tue, Jun 24, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Lobby
Come and meet the City of Highland Park Social Worker, Madeline Kati! Learn more about resources available to you through the Resiliency Division including Case Management, Counseling, and Referrals.

Tue, Jun 24, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Meeting Room 8
Love to read? Always looking for book recommendations? Meet fellow bibliophiles at Readers' Round Table! Join us in Room #8.

Tue, Jun 24, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Activity Room
Love Graphic Novels? Come talk about them!
This event is full

Wed, Jun 25, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Test your skills in our weekly one-minute desk challenges!

Wed, Jun 25, 10:00am - 10:30am
Highland Park Public Library - Activity Room
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, Jun 25, 11:30am - 12:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Activity Room
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.

Fri, Jun 27, 10:30am - 11:00am
Highland Park Public Library - Activity Room
Each week, hear stories, sing songs, and make a craft honoring a different part of the world.

Sat, Jun 28, 2:00pm - 4:30pm
Highland Park Public Library - Adult Services
Join us to play board games! Library staff will be available to help you choose a game and learn the rules!

Cancelled
Mon, Jun 30, 10:30am - 11:00am
Highland Park Public Library
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, Jun 30, 10:30am - 11:30am
Highland Park Public Library - Activity Room
Drop by the Activity Room for a library playdate! Try out our toy collection as you meet other little ones and their caregivers.

Mon, Jun 30, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Lobby
Come and meet the City of Highland Park Social Worker, Madeline Kati! Learn more about resources available to you through the Resiliency Division including Case Management, Counseling, and Referrals.

Mon, Jun 30, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Brenner Room
350 pieces. One hour. Do you have what it takes to win? Register with a friend!/ 350 piezas. Una hora. ¿Tienes lo necesario para ganar? ¡Regístrate con un amigo!
This event is full

Tue, Jul 01, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Highland Park Public Library - Activity Room
Relax and rejuvenate with the healing vibrations of crystal bowls, gongs, and chimes. Relájese y rejuvenezca con las vibraciones curativas de los cuencos de cristal, gongs y campanillas.

Wed, Jul 02, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Test your skills in our weekly one-minute desk challenges!

Wed, Jul 02, 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 June (2nd Wednesday) and December (1st Friday).

Thu, Jul 03, 10:30am - 11:30am
Highland Park Public Library - Activity Room
Drop by the Activity Room for a library playdate! Try out our toy collection as you meet other little ones and their caregivers.

Cancelled
Thu, Jul 03, 10:30am - 11:00am
Highland Park Public Library
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, Jul 03, 11:30am - 12:00pm
Highland Park Public Library
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, Jul 03, 5:00pm - 9:00pm
Highland Park Public Library
The library will close at 5pm in observance of Independence Day on July 3rd.

Fri, Jul 04, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Independence Day

Sat, Jul 05, 10:00am - 10:30am
Highland Park Public Library - Activity Room
Join us for a bilingual family storytime! Space is limited. Check in at Youth Services desk up to 30 minutes prior to start time.

Mon, Jul 07, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Beat the heat with your very own fruit fan. Create your own unique paper fan based on your favorite fruit. Pick up your kit at the Youth Services desk while supplies last.

Mon, Jul 07, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Highland Park Public Library
Join us via Zoom to chat with the McElroys of "The Adventure Zone" and "My Brother, My Brother and Me" podcasts!
Register

Tue, Jul 08, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Beat the heat with your very own fruit fan. Create your own unique paper fan based on your favorite fruit. Pick up your kit at the Youth Services desk while supplies last.

Tue, Jul 08, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Lobby
Come and meet the City of Highland Park Social Worker, Madeline Kati! Learn more about resources available to you through the Resiliency Division including Case Management, Counseling, and Referrals.

Wed, Jul 09, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Beat the heat with your very own fruit fan. Create your own unique paper fan based on your favorite fruit. Pick up your kit at the Youth Services desk while supplies last.

Wed, Jul 09, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Test your skills in our weekly one-minute desk challenges!

Wed, Jul 09, 10:00am - 10:30am
Highland Park Public Library - Activity Room
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, Jul 09, 11:30am - 12:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Activity Room
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, Jul 09, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Meeting Room 8
Bored at home? Come play Mario Kart 8DX on Nintendo Switch in a friendly competition! Snacks provided.

Wed, Jul 09, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Activity Room
Drop by the Activity Room for chess!

Thu, Jul 10, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Beat the heat with your very own fruit fan. Create your own unique paper fan based on your favorite fruit. Pick up your kit at the Youth Services desk while supplies last.

Thu, Jul 10, 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.

Fri, Jul 11, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Beat the heat with your very own fruit fan. Create your own unique paper fan based on your favorite fruit. Pick up your kit at the Youth Services desk while supplies last.

Fri, Jul 11, 10:30am - 11:00am
Highland Park Public Library - Activity Room
Each week, hear stories, sing songs, and make a craft honoring a different part of the world.

Sat, Jul 12, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Beat the heat with your very own fruit fan. Create your own unique paper fan based on your favorite fruit. Pick up your kit at the Youth Services desk while supplies last.

Sun, Jul 13, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Beat the heat with your very own fruit fan. Create your own unique paper fan based on your favorite fruit. Pick up your kit at the Youth Services desk while supplies last.

Mon, Jul 14, 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, Jul 15, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Bus Tour
Join us on a bus tour of Highland Park sites that have been featured in movies and learn about the films' creation and production. Tour starts and ends at the Library.
This event is full

Tue, Jul 15, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Activity Room
Registration required. Prepackaged food will be served with ingredient labels provided. Caregivers may stay with their children if they wish.

Tue, Jul 15, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Activity Room
Prepackaged food will be served with ingredient labels provided. Caregivers may stay with their children if they wish.

Tue, Jul 15, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Highland Park Public Library - Activity Room
The Library Board of Trustees regularly meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m., except where indicated otherwise.

Wed, Jul 16, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Test your skills in our weekly one-minute desk challenges!

Thu, Jul 17, 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, Jul 17, 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.

Thu, Jul 17, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Highland Park Senior Center - MCAFE 11
Join us for Memory Café, a welcoming and safe space for individuals with memory loss and mild cognitive impairment. Caregivers and loved ones are encouraged to attend.  

Fri, Jul 18, 10:30am - 11:00am
Highland Park Public Library - Activity Room
Each week, hear stories, sing songs, and make a craft honoring a different part of the world.

Fri, Jul 18, 3:00pm - 3:30pm
Highland Park Public Library - Activity Room
Join us for a storytime with a twist.