Interview with author Studs Terkel - Sun Magazine

[groovedaddy]

I guess excerpts are the way to go for print zines with an on-line presence. They really want you to buy their rag! Even though the following link is to an excerpt, it’s worth reading – an interview with one my favorite authors, Studs Terkel. And, hey, The Sun is not a bad publication any way: (pdf reader required)

http://www.thesunmagazine.org/371_Terkel.pdf

[bluestateguy]

1. What is he now, about 864 years old?

Just kidding.

[lyonn]

2. Read your recommended article about Studs and it made my day

Now he is a realist. He has been there and done that - Living history. We need the likes of Studs in these days of insanity. Our present administration has forgotten to read history, the Constitution, were educated in schools that had an "agenda" for our country that didn't include "we the people" since they/powerful/rich/(?) knew better than the common person what was best for this country. Our country is like a stew, we need lots of stuff going into it to make it good and they forgot that, they thought that our country benefited from a blood lines that included the life of the likes of the Bush's'. Now insanity runs rampant and the commoners (us) are to be treated like laborers for their righteous goals.

Thank gawd for the likes of the Studs Kerkels of the world that remind us that there is fun and good shit out there and that the likes of the Bush's of the world can't dim that brilliant light of "Life" that is there for those that look.

[dweller]

3. the Sun is an excellent magazine

and well worth the subscription price. I have off and on subscribed since their inception here in Chapel Hill. Still have the back issues, never will toss them.

good to see they are still in circulation.

http://www.thesunmagazine.org/history.html

guess it's time to re-sub.
dp

[noel711]

4. Brilliant!

Thanks Daddy, for posting this reminder of a fantastic character.

Studs Terkel really lived the 'American Dream'- not in terms of material success, as that expresion is viewed today. But in light of living the life you want to live, enjoying life's vast banquet, with all the ups and downs, and being the person you were meant to be.

I remember Studs from my childhood in Chicago in the 50's. Those were days of vast possibility, people who made the news were glorious people who gave to the community: working people, performers, politicians and intellectuals. Everything was a possiblity, even for a kid from a working class neighborhood. Being 'working class' was not a bad thing, simply an economic fact of life. I had neighbors who could speak many languages, who could play musical instruments, who taught school, who served as 'aldermen.'

This was a time when public schools really offered opportunity. Everyone attended sports events, went to the symphony and the opera, everyone had pride in their particular neighborhood, in their ethnic background, in the city and in their country.

I know those times weren't perfect; racism and sexism was rampant, and there was plenty religious intolerance to go around. But there was still hope. We, as a nation, have lost something precious.

Thank you Studs! YOu are indeed an American original!

[newscott]

5. He's a blues fan just like me! Cool!

[BridgeTheGap]

6. Read his book: "Coming of Age"

Which is interviews of people over 70 years old. The section on "whistle blowers" is particularly interesting. It includes an ex-cia agent & the co-discoverer of Uranium 233. Great stuff!
Studs books are historical/sociological/biographical phenomenons!