High school students gathered at the Illinois Institute of Technology in summer 2024 to participate in a program titled Healing 1919. The initiative aimed to explore the race riots of the "Red Summer" of 1919 and foster discussions on race relations. Students, known as justice ambassadors, were encouraged to create projects that promote civic action and racial healing.
Daniel Chichester, an adjunct professor at Illinois Institute of Technology’s Institute of Design, stated that the program's goal was to allow students to express their thoughts on race relations and the Red Summer specifically. “The projects are designed by the students to further civic action and racial healing,” he said.
The events of 1919 saw soldiers returning from World War I facing difficulties adjusting to civilian life amid increased competition for jobs. This period also marked significant migration, with over 500,000 African Americans moving from the South to northern cities. These factors contributed to heightened racial tensions and riots in 28 U.S. cities, including Chicago.
In Chicago, violence erupted after Eugene Wilson, a Black teenager, was stoned and drowned when he crossed into a whites-only beach area. The ensuing riot resulted in 38 deaths and left more than 1,000 Black families homeless due to neighborhood destruction.
Yvonnie DuBose, a justice educator leading Healing 1919, emphasized the era's legacy of separation while noting that participants aimed for solidarity and healing. By engaging with this history, students processed it and expressed their feelings creatively.
DuBose noted that allowing students ownership over their projects helped them manage discomfort with history and recognize their agency for change. “They learned how to tell a story with their own voices,” she said.
The leadership team included DuBose, Chichester, and Alicia Bunton from Illinois Tech. They encouraged students to express themselves through hobbies such as poetry or video journaling. Amir Raheen appreciated the creative freedom provided by the program: “We got to take control and were only limited by our creativity.” Vanica Sanon added that activities like bike tours offered new perspectives on history.
Healing 1919 is part of Illinois Tech’s Bronzeville Opportunity Engine (BOE), which seeks to strengthen ties with Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood through training initiatives. Sponsored by Illinois Tech’s Office of Community Affairs and Organic Oneness, the program aligns with BOE's mission by integrating design thinking into youth-led social justice efforts.
Alicia Bunton expressed pride in student outcomes: “All of the participants want to remain engaged and work together throughout the year.”