Esther Parada
DUSABLE
PARK/"Remember the Ladies!" (from Abigail Adams -- not a
final title)
This odd
corner of land in the heart of Chicago's riverfront/lakefront bears the
name of Chicago's first non-native settler, Jean Baptiste Point Du Sable.
In addition to marking DuSable's importance, I would choose to have this
park honor the group of Chicago women who first brought his name to the
attention of the general public. Organized in 1928, The National DeSaible
Memorial Society (which continues today as the DuSable League) launched
a five-year struggle for the recognition of DuSable's significance in
Chicago history by erecting a replica of his cabin at the 1933 World's
Fair.
None of these
original members remain alive today. But their children, grandchildren,
and friends (as well as historical archives) bear testimony to the diplomatic
skills, tenacity and fervor which the Society members brought to their
ultimately successful campaign. I propose that the DuSable Park in turn
bear witness to this network of activism and memory through the creation
of both an actual and a virtual garden.
GARDEN/actual
Rather than memorializing the women through monuments or plaques, each
would be represented by a tree, bush, or flower -- a species chosen for
its ability to survive Chicago's climate, and its literal or metaphorical
connection with her life.
GARDEN/virtual
A website (sponsored by the Chicago Park District, with links to the Chicago
Historical Society, the Chicago Public Library, and various organizations
in Chicago's African-American community) would show the original members
as photographed in 1928 at 4557 S. Drexel (YMCA) and published in the
Book of Achievement. Where possible, each face would be keyed to a name,
with background material regarding her life/participation in the organization.
Appeals would be made to website viewers to share any connection or information
they might have about any of the women in the photograph, especially those
who are unidentified. With the viewers' permission, these names/images/stories
would be added to the website, and the contributors would be considered
collaborative "gardeners." Information about subsequent DeSaible
Society/DuSable League members (not depicted in the photograph) would
of course be welcome, and would be added to the archive.
EXAMPLE:
Alice Neal, (1866-1967?) treasurer,
Lilian O'Neil, (1910--199? ) daughter (video interview, 1991-92)
Bessie Neal, (1920-- ) daughter-in-law (photo, video interview)
Proposed plant: peach tree (story, text and video, recounted by Bessie
Neal)
Parada,
Esther
Chicago, IL
e-parada@uic.edu
web
link