Studs Terkel died October 31, 2008 at the ripe age of 96. In my mind he is more relevant now than ever. The man lived out his days in Chicago, he was not just a man, writer, radio-personality, the occasional actor (8 Men Out anyone?)--he was a man in the neighborhood.
Every time I heard the man speak, he sounded like a neighbor. When politicians speak of "Wise Old Men"--they should be talking about human beings like Studs Terkel. His wit and humor were surpassed by his humanity, his sympathy for the common person.
Although he was kind, he was a no-bullshit kind of guy. The kind of old-time Chicago man who had seen corruption, violence, & exploitation in every form--from the government, organized crime, business, and the bully.
Studs was infinitely quotable, as are the best of humans. Here is some of his wisdom from the interweb.
Chicago is not the most corrupt American city. It's the most theatrically corrupt.
I hope for peace and sanity - it's the same thing.
I want people to talk to one another no matter what their difference of opinion might be.
People are ready to say, 'Yes, we are ready for single-payer health insurance.' We are the only industrialized country in the world that does not have national health insurance. We are the richest in wealth and the poorest in health of all the industrial nations.
With optimism, you look upon the sunny side of things. People say, 'Studs, you're an optimist.' I never said I was an optimist. I have hope because what's the alternative to hope? Despair? If you have despair, you might as well put your head in the oven.
***my personal favorite***
You happen to be talking to an agnostic. You know what an agnostic is? A cowardly atheist.
damn right. i hope the wisdom of st. terkel will help guide our new president, mr. barack obama.
let us give it up, raise it in the memory of studs terkel.
to the kindest of rabble rousers! to us, the giddy multitude!
also, here is the link to his website
also, for your enjoyment, the man himself.
3 comments:
Hear, all ye good people, hear what this brilliant and eloquent speaker has to say! This one, for me, is a no-brainer. Studs was an amazing man, and represents the best in all people. Not only was he great, but he was kind, rational, and brilliant. RIP Studs, and if you met your maker, I hope he makes you editor.
This American Life featured Studs Terkel on this week's episode. Worth checking out - they aired a series of interviews he did in research for "Hard Times" with Great Depression survivors
A Spoiler Alert would have been handy there! Jeeze...
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