Thu 1/18 @ 6-8PM
Washington Post education journalist Laura Meckler was raised in Shaker Heights (SHHS class of ’86) so the topic of her new book is close to her heart and her experience.
Dream Town: Shaker Heights & the Quest for Racial Equity traces the history of racial integration in the city, starting in the 1950s with housing integration which led to integrated schools in the ’70s when other cities were battling over busing. Meckler peeks under the hood of this seeming racial equity, looking at the tensions that arose, how conflicts were resolved, and what was gained and lost in the process of trying to attain a good life for all, regardless of race. She explores why Shaker Heights succeeded when many other cities faced re-segregation due to redlining and its evil twin, blockbusting.
Meckler will be featured in an author event at the Western Reserve Historical Society this week. Purchase the book at the WRHS shop and get half price off admission and an access code to the virtual book presentation.
wrhs.org/events/by-the-book-laura-meckler/