Book Discussion: Last Children of Mill Creek
Sunday, October 2, 2022, 4:30 PM
The Ministry of Racial Reconciliation (MORR) at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Creve Coeur invites all to a discussion of the book The Last Children of Mill Creek. The discussion will feature the book's author, Vivian Gibson.
This event will be held Sunday, Oct. 2. Refreshments will be offered at 4:30 p.m. and the discussion will begin at 5 p.m. at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, 808 N. Mason Road, Creve Coeur.
The book is a true story of growing up in segregated St. Louis. It is the debut memoir by a talented writer finding her authentic voice later in life. Ms Gibson will join us to present additional background to her story and answer your questions.
You can sign up for the event in the Gathering Space at St. Timothy's or contact the parish office at [email protected].
Download an article / flyer for this event.
Questions to be considered during the discussion:
1. Briefly, in a phrase or one sentence, what is one big take away you got from this book?
2. For most of the book Vivian Gibson shares her childhood memories and impressions of her nuclear family and community. What feelings did her story evoke for you? What surprised you?
3. Toward the end of her story the author talks about how her beloved neighborhood became a “bombed out landscape…called Hiroshima Flats.”
-- When did you first hear of the existence and destruction of Mill Creek Valley? What was your reaction?
4. St. Louis has “renewed” several areas of the city starting in the mid-1900s including Mill Creek Valley (for the construction of the Daniel Boone Expressway and the eastward expansion of St Louis University), the riverfront (to make way for the Arch), and a portion of mid-north St. Louis (for the housing project Pruitt Igoe).
-- What have you heard, experienced, or learned about the impacts of these renewals? Do you see ongoing impacts now?
5. What do we do next?
Tags: Events / Dismantling Racism Commission