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May 17, 2007

The Journalist with the Red Socks

Author Studs Terkel turns 95.

David Neff

Journalist Studs Terkel (Working) turns 95 today. Studs is a liberal in the old-fashioned populist sense: committed to labor and the working person.

Terkel's journalism was based on interviews. Listening to real people talk about their lives. As an outsider to religion, he would nevertheless pay attention to religion on occasion because it was part of the working class landscape and a vital part of people's lives. One of my favorite Studs Terkel radio shows was his classic interview with gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. Chicago's WFMT used to replay it every Good Friday. And you could hear the pained longing in Terkel's voice as he listened to her talk about Christ's sacrifice and sing "Were You There?"

Here's a snapshot of Studs and me from September 2002. Christianity Today hosted Studs for some in-service education with our editors and writers. What a storyteller!

Sorry the photo doesn't show Terkel's signature red socks. The red-and-white checked shirt is just as much a part of his trademark, though.

posted by David Neff | Comments (2)

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Studs is fabulous--I was at his house on September 12, 2001-- for an interview about his book, Will the Circle Be Unbroken. He hoped then that 9/11 would make Americans more compassionate--and make the American government less likely to pull the trigger, know that the reality of war had come to our shores. I wish more of us had listened to him.

Posted By: Bob Smietana | May 20, 2007 8:05 PM

studs had his birthday on the 15th, not the 17th. he shares the date with another chicago icon, mayor richard daley the first. fyi: studs also wears red undies!

Posted By: chas pike | May 22, 2007 3:02 PM