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These stories are not from the pages of worn books, old audio tapes or reels of archived film. These accounts of struggle and triumph come directly from the mouths, minds and hearts of Black East St. Louisans who recall living during times that were simple but not easy, close-knit but segregated, and more courteous but racially hostile. 

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) Campus Center is working on one of its initiative’s known as East St. Louis stories or e-stories, according to Connie Frey Spurlock, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Sociology and TRHT core planning team member. 

“E-stories provide an infrastructure for sharing and documenting the individual experiences of community members through oral histories and digital storytelling,” explained Frey Spurlock. “These experiences will form the basis of a shared narrative of the SIUE and East St. Louis communities.” 

The initiative is modeled after the Humans of St. Louis project, a 501(c)(3) that shares first-person stories and photographic portraits of people and places in St. Louis, according to Frey Spurlock. In the aftermath of Michael Brown’s murder and protests in Ferguson, Humans of St. Louis documented the perspectives of St. Louis residents and members of the Ferguson Commission to bring attention to the reports’ calls for action, including racial equity. 

“In utilizing this structure, as well as building on it by bringing in theater, other visual arts and highlighting the day-to-day lived experiences of East St. Louisans and SIUE students, staff and faculty who call East St. Louis home, we hope to present a more positive image of the city and raise awareness about the effects of structural racism on the city,” she continued.  

SIUE students have worked since August in collecting e-stories under the supervision of College of Arts and Sciences faculty members Sandra Weissinger, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Sociology, and Kathryn Bentley, associate professor in the Department of Theater and Dance. Students contributors include Mario Diaz, a senior sociology and psychology double major; Yoseline Miranda, a senior sociology and theater/dance double major; Andrea Perez and Sean Thomas, both senior sociology majors; Rhonda Whittier, a freshman theater/dance major; Heaven Bones, a sophomore psychology major; and Tyrice Collier, an undeclared sophomore. 

East St. Louis natives and residents who were interviewed include: 

• Darryl Cherry 
• Rodney Coates 
• Clint Collins
• Lydia Jackson 
• Edna Patterson-Petty 
• Reginald Petty 
• Eugene B. Redmond 
• Wesley Robinson-McNeese 
• Lorenzo Savage 
• Simone Williams 

 “I wanted to be part of something that acknowledges and speaks out against the dangers of living in a society that oppresses certain humans purely based on their race,” said Perez. “I was responsible for obtaining oral histories (personal experiences) through semi-structure interviews of individuals who have a strong connection with East St. Louis. These documented oral histories will be used to create stories that will be shared with the community to fight the negative narrative of this city, to work towards racial healing and to show the real beauty behind East St. Louis.” 

In interviewing a number of people and collecting data, Perez found that it had a profound impact on her. 

“I learned how strong everyone is for not allowing racial oppression to stop them from their achievements. I was able to see how hopeful people are,” she added. “I also felt a connection with everyone, which is something I was not expecting.” 

“It’s important to value oral histories, because these are the personal experiences of individuals who have been impacted by racism,” continued Perez. “These stories help us learn a part of history that many people do not know. We must acknowledge everyone’s history in order to understand and help each other. These stories will become an opportunity to connect with people, that others might not have otherwise. Feeling connected will help restore compassion toward others.” 

The e-stories project is also critical because of the influence it is having on SIUE students, according to Frey Spurlock. 

“Students are gaining knowledge, skills, and courage to tell the truth regarding the ways in which racism has impacted our campus, region and relationships,” noted Frey Spurlock.  

SIUE’s TRHT is working with I Am East St. Louis, The Magazine as a community partner. The stories are expected to be completed in January and will be shared on the SIUE Successful Communities Collaboration Lab website, via social media and in I Am East St. Louis, The Magazine. 

For more information about e-stories, contact Frey Spurlock at cfrey@siue.edu, 618-650-2945. 

Photo:
Top row (L-R): Lydia Jackson, assistant to the provost for library and community engagement and associate professor at Lovejoy Library; Eugene B. Redmond, SIUE emeritus professor of English and East St. Louis Poet Laureate; and Simone Williams, SIUE alumna and assistant professor in Library and Information Services 

Bottom row (L-R): Edna Patterson Petty, SIUE alumna and celebrated artist; Reginald Petty, civil rights leader, activist, educator, author, historian and former Peace Corp director; and Darryl Cherry, Office of Student Opportunities for Academic Results (SOAR) student retention coordinator and SIUE Collegiate 100 advisor.