Studs

R.I.P. I loved Studs Terkel.

He is Chicago to me. I have two vivid memories of him - the first time I heard him speak was at Bughouse Square during the Newberry Library book sale. Back in the day, people would go to Bughouse Square and debate. Every year during the sale, they get local Chicago people to stand up and speak their mind. Studs got up there with his trademark red socks and railed about whatever was on his mind that day. The last time I saw him was at the anti-war rally in Daley Plaza when Barack Obama was running for the Senate. I went to hear Studs and no one else.

I can't even select my favorite book because they've all meant a lot to me. Race, Hope Dies Last, Hard Times, and Will the Circle Be Unbroken probably rise to the top.

This is a day that I've dreaded for a very long time.