I’m writing an essay for Granta about Bronzeville, the Great Migration of African Americans from the south to Chicago early in the Twentieth Century, Chicago’s racism, and my favorite Chicago library, which sits in Bronzeville, the Chicago Bee branch. I’m working flat out
to meet Granta’s deadline, but when I’m done I’ll post some of what I’ve been learning here, so stay tuned.
Bronzeville used to have a vibrant shopping and entertainment area, around 35th and State; the Bee branch of the library, which used to house the Chicago Bee newspaper, is the only remaining building from that time. However, Gregg Spears painted a vibrant portrait of Bronzeville that hangs in the library’s lobby.
