I love documentaries. I watch them for fun, regularly show them in class, and aspire to make one someday. Documentaries make histories accessible to folks who may not have the drive to read (although, please do read!) through primary and secondary sources. Histories are about telling nuanced and compelling narratives, and the visual medium of the documentary is a perfect fit for such a goal.

So, you can only imagine how I felt when the folks at WTTW PBS (Chicago’s local station) asked me to take part in a documentary on Chicago’s lakefront. Hosted by the illustrious Geoffrey Bauer, Touring Chicago’s Lakefront explores the history, the hidden gems, and the unique character of this urban oasis. I got to share my knowledge on DuSable and the 1919 Chicago Race Riot. The entire experience was a career highlight: I felt respected by professionals who were also kind and welcoming. Bauer and his entire team were fantastic to work with, and I am so appreciative of the experience.

Documentaries and other public history mediums are critical, especially right now. History is FOR EVERYONE, whether folks believe that or not. Governmental pressures, the elevation of certain STEM majors and careers, and technological innovations have only increased the importance of looking at our past with frank and open eyes. The push for romanticized and sanitized fairy tales that make us feel good about ourselves is dangerous, to say the least. And it only makes SOME of us feel good…

So, I encourage folks to dig deep into some history—read, watch, listen. You’ll learn something, get some historical tea, and most importantly, be able to defend your humanity against fascism.