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Equity is our race, culture, ethnicity, and identity blog. The blog focuses on coverage important to Illinois and its improvement. Evidence of performance of public policies and their impact will be reported and analyzed. We encourage you to engage in commenting and discussing the coverage of equity and diversity:Maureen Foertsch McKinney and Rachel Otwell curate this blog that will provide follow-up to full-length stories, links to other reports of interest, statistics, and conversations with you about the issues and stories.

A Call For Consecration Of Remains From Springfield's 1908 Race Riot

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example of damage to a black residence during the 1908 Race Riot in Springfield
Leroy Jordan & Shelly Heideman

As you may know - over a century ago Springfield underwent what is called the 1908 Race Riot. It was a day of lynching and upset - many black people were attacked after two back-to-back reports of assaults on white women by black men induced an angry mob. 

The two men lynched however were not the ones alleged of assault, and many other black people were targeted for violence. At least seven died. It's a stain on our history's past - but it resulted in the foundation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored Peopleand many say it's not an event to be forgotten. Those people include Shelly Heideman and Leroy Jordan, they joined me for this interview at Calvary Baptist Church on the east side of Springfield:
 

 

Rachel Otwell of the Illinois Times is a former NPR Illinois reporter.
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