“And the fact that people always, like, write off Gary as this horrible place made me feel like I just had to have this conviction to like, change people’s minds, and to be there, and make a difference.” Produced by Rebecca Werner with interviews recorded by StoryCorps, a national nonprofit whose mission is to provide […]
One Common Cause
“Part of being part of a community is reaching out and helping out each other and being there for each other.” Produced and edited for the Welcome Project by Rebecca Werner and Brandi Casada. Transcript for One Common Cause I grew up in the Aetna section of Gary. And I may get emotional on […]
The Pull of Gary
“I want to come back, but I don’t want to come back.” Produced by Rebecca Werner with interviews recorded by StoryCorps, a national nonprofit whose mission is to provide Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs with the opportunity to record, share, and preserve the stories of our lives. Storytellers in Veiled Racism are volunteers […]
Reach Out to Our Neighbor
“I’d do it again because it was the right thing to do.” Produced and edited for the Welcome Project by Rebecca Werner and Brandi Casada. Transcript for Reach Out to Our Neighbor A couple years ago, when we had a significant snowstorm and it was an isolated snowstorm where we—you know, as Northwest Indiana, […]
Committed to the Community
“We are located right in the middle of Gary, Indiana for a reason.” Editing by Welcome Project intern Brandi Casada. Hold a Conversation Can you imagine leading a conversation about this story? Where? With whom? What kinds of questions would you pose? (See How to use the questions for reflection for one approach.) Please email your […]
In My Blood
“They put a spirit of justice in me.” Editing by Welcome Project intern Brandi Casada. Hold a Conversation Can you imagine leading a conversation about this story? Where? With whom? What kinds of questions would you pose? (See How to use the questions for reflection for one approach.) Please email your questions to us or post them […]
Racism Is a Disease
“Until you change inside, all the laws you can pass ain’t gonna do a bit of good.” Produced by Emmanuel Higgins for Flight Paths. Thanks to Mr. Allison for sharing this story. Transcript for Racism Is a Disease I grew up right here in Gary. I was born here in 1938. Gary used to […]
Wrong Side of the Tracks
“When he found out we were from Aetna, he never spoke to us again.” Produced and edited for the Welcome Project by Rebecca Werner and Brandi Casada. Transcript for Wrong Side of the Tracks The different areas of town, that was something that folks took a big pride in, we all did. Of course in […]
Demonized Community
“… people bought into this notion that no one wants to live in Gary…” Editing by Welcome Project intern Brandi Casada. Transcript for Demonized Community The first neighborhood that I remember growing up in was on the East Side of Gary on Massachusetts Street. And my parents brought me home from the hospital there, […]