Directed Study Students Meet Author of their text, Mary Patillo
Suzanne Switzer, Program Facilitator, describes the experience below:
Mary Patillo is an acclaimed author, as well as a sociologist and professor at Northwestern University. It was such a pleasure to be able to meet with her and discuss her experience in her research, the motives that went along with that research and why/how “Black on the Block” came about.
It was so interesting to hear what she had to say about the neighborhoods in which she studied juxtaposed to Arvis’ South Side Tour or the book students commonly read, “Our America.” Ms. Patillo is very professional in her speaking and was willing to answer any question the students had. She was very open to the discussion and really focused on providing the students with insight they may not have had.
She really brought her book, “Black on the Block” to life and it helped for her to explain her viewpoints and opitions/thoughts regarding the changes taking place in certain neighborhoods of the southside of Chicago. It was a fantastic, one-of-a-kind experience that I was so grateful to be a part of.