A Bronzeville Story
Elementary: Grades 3–4
Story
Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10
Uncle Obie smiled. "Out there's just one example of all the good stuff black folks add to Chicago. We bring the music, of course—blues, jazz, gospel. But our people are making big contributions in sports, politics, business, and civil rights, too. Not to mention all this good food that comes from the South." Now Obie tapped the table, too, as the waiter set their dinners before them.
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"Lots going on in this neighborhood, seems like, Obie," Daddy said.
"Yes," Obie agreed, "but not like the old days, Luke." He waved his hand toward the street. "In the 1920s, people called the stretch of blocks along here the Stroll. It was one of the best-known areas in any black community in the country."
"How come the Stroll?" Cleet asked.
"Why, 'cause you went there to be seen!" Obie said, grinning. "The Stroll was famous for many a fine jazz club, playing that music all night long."
"Wish I'd been here then," Cleet said.
Uncle Obie chuckled. "I'm sure you do, son. It's cooled down considerably around here since then. We still have the Regal Theater, though, and the Savoy Ballroom. That's where all the best music's coming from these days."
Uncle Obie promised to take them all to those places. For a minute Lurlene looked excited. Then some commotion outside on the street caught her eye. A fight had broken out. People were hollering and shoving at each other. Someone threw a can at the crowd.
Lurlene turned away from the scene looking disgusted. "New people always starting trouble for all of us," she said, lifting her chin in the air like she was a queen. "Cops be here any minute now, you'll see."
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"Now, Lurlene," Uncle Obie warned. He turned to Penny's parents and spoke apologetically. "It's true some of these folks who come up here just don't seem to want to fit in. They make a bad name for all of us. Not y'all, of course."
"They're the ones causing the race riots," Lurlene said boldly.
"Now Lurlene, that's enough! You know that's not at all true," Obie said now. Everyone looked at him except Lurlene. She was still staring off across the restaurant like she was much annoyed.
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