June 13, 2009 ****Haymarket, Pullman, China Town****

Place setting on Pullman Palace Car

Stairs in the courthouse building – Haymarket trial

Mural depicting the Haymarket fiasco

Memorial to Haymarket martyrs

A live rose for Lucy, wife of Haymarket martyr, graciously provided by Mr. Edleman

Big blue bus used in the recent Barack Obama campaign

Stockyard Gate, sole survivor of an era

One half steer head with open gate to old stockyard

Juneteenth Celebration at Pullman House to commemorate the end of slavery

Black at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair

Death of the Pullman Factory

Dinner in Chicago’s China Town

Place setting on Pullman Palace Car

Stairs in the courthouse building – Haymarket trial

Mural depicting the Haymarket fiasco

Memorial to Haymarket martyrs

A live rose for Lucy, wife of Haymarket martyr, graciously provided by Mr. Edleman

Big blue bus used in the recent Barack Obama campaign

Stockyard Gate, sole survivor of an era

One half steer head with open gate to old stockyard

Juneteenth Celebration at Pullman House to commemorate the end of slavery

Black at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair

Death of the Pullman Factory

Dinner in Chicago’s China Town

Saturday, the last day in Chicago, we saved the best for last. I cannot praise Mr. William Edleman enough for all his effort and vast, vast knowledge. Reading Death in the Haymarket made a lasting impact on me, so I wanted to see the location and the monuments. And we did. Mr. Edleman obviously is a sincere dedicated person who is committed to the cause of labor. I was touched that he carried fresh roses to honor the unjustly sacrificed Haymarket seven. I was moved by the mural, the monuments, and yes, even the gate to the stockyards. How can people close their eyes and pretend evil corruption is not happening all around. I honor those who have the courage to take a stand, speak out, and support the human case. Especially teachers should be actively involved in their local professional organization. On this trip alone I have heard horrible stories of administrators threatening, intimidating, and mistreating teachers. Some things have not changed since the events of the Haymarket incident.

The stairs with the circle motif is similar to the window decoration at the Hull House. I find this interesting. Our guide did not know why that design was chosen; perhaps it was just popular during that time period.

I was happy to see another Black represented at the White City World’s Fair, albeit in a negative sense, was Aunt Jemima. Although the symbol of Aunt Jemima was to denigrate Black women, I am glad she did reap some monetary benefits. Jemima, one of Job’s daughters, in the Old Testament is described as one of the most beautiful women in the world. That is a nice piece of irony.

Some of Mr. Pullman’s ideas were good, some too idealistic but the philosophy that people surrounded by beauty will behave better and be more appreciative is accurate for some folks. The place setting in the Palace Car is an example of creating an ambiance of beauty and peace. Utopia, of course, does not exist, but wouldn’t it be wonderful for all mankind to experience beauty and peace.

I did not get the title of the painting depicting a stereotypical Black church experience but it is a good representation of Junteenth. I have never attended a Junteenth and today we missed it by minutes. I enjoyed seeing Black women with head wraps leaving and smiling. Behold! A young man left carrying a watermelon. I don’t need a Junteenth to celebrate the end of slavery. Mr. Pullman’s town is being put to very good use.