The Public Square on Air

NPR just finished running a beautiful two-part series on the unique history of Washington's U-street neighborhood. The once vibrant black neighborhood was devastated by riots following the assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King in 1968. It took more than 30 years for the seeds of revitalization to finally start to grow, and now the neighborhood faces the challenge of ensuring that this growth comes with a true racial integration. The interviews reveal how particular neighborhoods can carry with them a living history, sketched into the collective memory of the community.

Stories like this are one more reason to support your local NPR station during pledge week.