Mental Distortion

A few weeks ago, writer, actor, radio personality and unabashed liberal Studs Terkel passed away in Chicago, Illinois at the age of 96. I had always been aware of Terkel, but had never read any of his books, seen any of his movies or seen many interviews that I could recall. But now in death, I’ve been learning more about this remarkable man through television and radio retrospectives and in material that can now be found online about his long and fascinating life as well as his famous oral histories. It makes me wonder why it takes one’s death for one to be illuminated and lionized in the public eye that could not be said as strongly and clearly before his passing.

Perhaps his time had passed a few decades earlier, for Terkel was a remarkably honest individual who never wavered in his liberalism and social beliefs. In an era of Reagan, Clinton and Bush 41 and 43, when the L-word has taken on such negative connotation among people in many quarters of political life, it has been refreshing to hear such an unabashed liberal such as Terkel speak out so strongly about his political and social beliefs, regardless of the times.  He will be missed.

Here are some materials to peruse:

1.  Bob Edwards retrospective on Studs Terkel, XM Satellite Radio

2.  The Studs Terkel Program (radio)