Mary Barr thinks a lot about the old photograph hanging on her refrigerator door. In it; she and a dozen or so of her friends from the Chicago suburb of Evanston sit on a porch. It's 1974; the summer after they graduated from Nichols Middle School; and what strikes her immediately—aside from the Soul Train–era clothes—is the diversity of the group: boys and girls; black and white; in the variety of poses you'd expect from a bunch of friends on the verge of high school. But the photo also speaks to the history of Evanston; to integration; and to the ways that those in the picture experienced and remembered growing up in a place that many at that time considered to be a racial utopia. In Friends Disappear Barr goes back to her old neighborhood and pieces together a history of Evanston with a particular emphasis on its neighborhoods; its schools; and its work life. She finds that there is a detrimental myth of integration surrounding Evanston despite bountiful evidence of actual segregation; both in the archives and from the life stories of her subjects. Curiously; the city’s own desegregation plan is partly to blame. The initiative called for the redistribution of students from an all-black elementary school to institutions situated in white neighborhoods. That; however; required busing; and between the tensions it generated and obvious markers of class difference; the racial divide; far from being closed; was widened. Friends Disappear highlights how racial divides limited the life chances of blacks while providing opportunities for whites; and offers an insider’s perspective on the social practices that doled out benefits and penalties based on race—despite attempts to integrate.
#507620 in Books Barr Mary 2014-10-30 2014-10-30Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .80 x 6.00l; .0 #File Name: 022615646X304 pagesFriends Disappear The Battle for Racial Equality in Evanston
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. An Amazing Study and a Great ReadBy CustomerDr. Barr's study on desegregation and integration in Evanston; Illinois in the 1970's is both enthralling and eye-opening. Utilizing many sociological study techniques; Dr. Barr organizes an excellent analysis on the history of racial tension; desegregation; and the true nature of "integration" as she and her friends experienced firsthand. As Dr. Barr explains; things in one of America's most socially and racially progressive and tolerant towns are not at all as they seem.Friends Disappear is not only an amazing sociological study; it is a thoroughly well-written book. I would advise the reader to dive into the book ready to learn and question everything about both the society of Evanston at the time and their own society.Thank you; Dr. Barr; for sharing your experiences and knowledge with us in this great book!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Very well written and excellently researched; Dr. Barr ...By Diana JohnsonVery well written and excellently researched; Dr. Barr managed to successfully write of her experience and give insight to the lives of other Evanston children that played an important part of who she is and who she has become. I too am a product of Evanston’s two school districts; District 65 and District 202 in the 60’s and 70’s. The difference being; I was very familiar with the racial and class divide in Evanston. Mainly because my parents made sure my sister and I participated in and attended events that effected our future as African American adults. My father; Bennett Johnson and my mom were very prominent in the integration of Evanston. Because of this and because my parents were both college educated; my sister and I moved freely between the two Evanstons; unfortunately; many of our African American friends did not have that luxury.In this book Dr. Barr’s sociological study not only sheds light on Evanston’s integration struggle at the time; but it also reflects the issues America struggled with and is still currently grappling with.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Friends do indeed disappearBy CustomerThis book provided an amazing trip down memory lane since I knew all of the characters. What was astonishing was the fact that my experience during this time were so radically different as a black child during this period. The struggles for integration were very real and this book provided a context that I think is important for every Evanstonian who speaks about their reason for living in Evanston is the diversity. The segregation still exists but Evanston has done a great job of creating "drive-by diversity". Thank you Dr. Barr for providing subtext for racial divisions in Evanston then and now.
