In this podcast episode, we breakdown the history of the Jim Crow era with a special guest.
Without a doubt, one of the biggest challenges the characters in Lovecraft Country face are the barriers put in place by systematic racism. The show takes place in 1950s America after all, and for our Black protagonists, this only complicates things even more as they battle the monsters of legend and the monsters who are their very neighbors.
But during this time, how effectively does Lovecraft Country depict what’s known as the Jim Crow era? We’ve seen scenes of Atticus, George and Letitia being chased out of a diner and out of town. We’ve seen Ruby turned down for a job at a department store (undoubtedly because she’s black). And there’s even a subtle nod to Atticus and Leti attending a Black public library to do their research.
To speak on the subject, the Lovecraft Country Chronicles podcast reached out to Dr. David Pilgrim, vice president for diversity and inclusion at Ferris State University. Dr. Pilgrim curates Ferris State’s Jim Crow Museum, which features a collection of racist artifacts as a way to highlight past (and current) memorabilia and use it as a teaching opportunity for the current generation. Listen to the latest episode of Lovecraft Country Chronicles in the links below to hear what Dr. Pilgrim has to say about the history of the Jim Crow era and how well it’s depicted in Lovecraft Country.
Listen to the newest episode of the Lovecraft Country Chronicles podcast
What Was the Jim Crow Era Really Like?
Lovecraft Country takes place in 1955 during the Jim Crow era. How did that era come to be, and does Lovecraft Country depict it accurately? Dr. David Pilgrim, founder and curator of the Jim Crow Museum at Ferris State University, answers our questions about this and more.
More aboutA weekly recap/reaction podcast to the new HBO show, Lovecraft Country. Join hosts Mia Johnson and Natalie Zamora as they break down each episode and interview weekly guest experts.
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