posted by Amy Hillier

on May 18, 2007

The first time I saw Michael Nutter in person, he had a copy of The Philadelphia Negro in his hand. We were both attending the dedication of a historical marker at 6th and Lombard Streets to commemorate the race riots in Philadelphia 1842. Students at Masterman High School researched the riots and were the force behind the marker. Nutter spoke at the ceremony before, held at Mother Bethel AME church, and he referenced Du Bois' book as it described the riots.

In a profile done by The Philadelphia Inquirer as part of the mayor's race, Nutter had to identify the one book he thought all of Philadelphia should read. His choice? You know it, The Philadelphia Negro. He said it was helpful for people to see how far we'd come and how much work we still had to do, something like that.

The only question is, how do we get him involved in our project?