Char Ham and Mike Williams <Penguinblu@aol.com> Date: Sat, 12 Apr 1997
Dear Dr. Broski:
One of the missions a university fulfills to the students and the community is to promote the history and culture of humankind, especially within its own national and local aspects. We plead with you to fulfill that mission by saving several blocks of Maxwell Street, a place where for immigrants it was their first experience living in America, and even more so, a place for American's music, the blues was a stepping stone for musicians and people to love its native musical roots.
Already Memphis has been successful by revitalizing Beale Street, with clubs, restaurants, and places where Americans and people from around the world learn to enjoy the blues. Chicago too, was an important chapter in the history of blues music, and by saving Maxwell Street, future generations will learn about an important part of American life and culture.
Although our written history is not as long as Europe's, that continent receives a substantial income from tourists (many of them American, by the way), who are eager to experience the culture and the history. Why can't we do the same for Americans, Africans, Europeans, and Asians here with Maxwell Street? Our hope is that someday we will travel to Maxwell Street, and see for ourselves the place where immigrants and musicians got their start.
Sincerely,
Char Ham
Journalist for the Blues Web (http://www.island.net/~blues) and
Mike Williams
Photographer for the Blues Web
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