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A review by oliviak07
Smoketown: The Untold Story of the Other Great Black Renaissance by Mark Whitaker
4.0
Once my partner and I found ourselves Pittsburgh bound, I began to search for a summer read that would offer me a glimpse into my soon-to-be home. Out of the tens of thousands of books I could have chosen about the 'City of Bridges', I am profoundly grateful that Mark Whitaker's "Smoketown: The Untold Story of the Other Great Black Renaissance" not only crossed my path but also lead me down an unforgettable one too.
I grew up about 30 minutes southwest of Cleveland, OH, and for anyone who knows of the rivalry between the cities you would think I am committing a cardinal sin for what I am about to say: Why are we not talking more about Pittsburgh's historical and international influence, or about the black renaissance that greatly shaped twentieth century America?
The answer is all too clear before readers immerse themselves within the pages of Whitaker's book: micro and macro forms of systematic racism, ignorance, and greed. Readers will feel unease, down right anger, and those feelings are absolutely validated. Take those feelings, accept and learn from them, and then go out there and do something so these atrocities do not happen again.
By reading this book I found new heroes from those who were pivotal to social justice movements (journalists Evelyn Cunningham and Wendell Smith), to those who were revolutionary to theater orchestra pits and the medium of music (composer and lyricist Billy Strayhorn, and jazz pianist Erroll Garner), to those whose athletic talents still echo throughout the stadiums they played in (baseball player Josh Gibson). While most differ in their roots, they all came through (and at one time or another fell in love with) Pittsburgh and gave the city its due.
My hope is that my partner and I will be able to do the same, and honor those who came before us.
I implore that readers take their time with this piece, not only for the historical dates, times, and details, but to truly learn from the material that Whitaker has gathered. While my memory will hold onto so much from "Smoketown" after my initial read, I know that I will be finding my own print copy to savor more trips down this book's informative path.
I grew up about 30 minutes southwest of Cleveland, OH, and for anyone who knows of the rivalry between the cities you would think I am committing a cardinal sin for what I am about to say: Why are we not talking more about Pittsburgh's historical and international influence, or about the black renaissance that greatly shaped twentieth century America?
The answer is all too clear before readers immerse themselves within the pages of Whitaker's book: micro and macro forms of systematic racism, ignorance, and greed. Readers will feel unease, down right anger, and those feelings are absolutely validated. Take those feelings, accept and learn from them, and then go out there and do something so these atrocities do not happen again.
By reading this book I found new heroes from those who were pivotal to social justice movements (journalists Evelyn Cunningham and Wendell Smith), to those who were revolutionary to theater orchestra pits and the medium of music (composer and lyricist Billy Strayhorn, and jazz pianist Erroll Garner), to those whose athletic talents still echo throughout the stadiums they played in (baseball player Josh Gibson). While most differ in their roots, they all came through (and at one time or another fell in love with) Pittsburgh and gave the city its due.
My hope is that my partner and I will be able to do the same, and honor those who came before us.
I implore that readers take their time with this piece, not only for the historical dates, times, and details, but to truly learn from the material that Whitaker has gathered. While my memory will hold onto so much from "Smoketown" after my initial read, I know that I will be finding my own print copy to savor more trips down this book's informative path.