From Dredd Scott to Ferguson: St. Louis History in Black and White is a digital oral project produced by St. Louis Public Radio and hosted by Don Marsh. This oral project features stories, interviews, and historical contexts. The primary goal of this project is to present an oral history of racial relations, the black experience, and civil rights in St. Louis from 1847 to 2016. The project highlights significant events, everyday experiences, and civil rights struggles that have influenced the city of St. Louis. The project’s intended audience may include residents of St. Louis, educators, students, and even the general public. This platform is easily accessible and can be used in the community, classrooms, discussions, etc. 


Racial relations in St. Louis have had a long and complex history that continues to exist in today’s society. Researchers discovered that racism has persisted across generations, often hidden in plain view. Through this timeline, this project brings attention to major events as well as hidden histories.  The St. Louis History in Black & White project uses a combination of oral history interviews, audio clips from the radio show “St. Louis on the Air” program, and an interactive timeline to document the city’s racial history. This project utilizes digital platforms to present these materials, making them accessible to the public through a mobile-friendly website. This allows users to navigate and explore personal narratives, historical events, and content related to civil rights and race relations in St. Louis easily. Although the website didn’t mention how long the project took to complete, it does mention the St. Louis History in Black & White project was originally launched in 2011. The project was relaunched in 2016 with added historical content, technical improvements, a timeline, and a need to promote awareness and empathy. 


The project’s strengths include its accessibility in digital formatting, its educational value, and its ability to capture live experiences, and history over time, While I wouldn’t say this project had any weaknesses, others may want more interactive features or youth voices included. Before now, I knew very little to nothing about the Dredd Scott case. I’ve always heard things about the St. Louis area from my parents to teachers, to the news, and other sources. But on the other hand, The St. Louis History in Black & White project offers a deeper look into the racial dynamics that have long shaped the St. Louis region. What stands out the most to me is how it connects together personal stories, historical milestones, and local geography to show the fight over civil rights, equity, and justice. This project gives contexts to more recent events, such as the 2014 killing of Michael Brown Jr, in Ferguson., as well as previously known information. While that tragedy is well known, it is part of a larger history of systemic segregation, inequality, and resistance that is still going on to this day in the St. Louis area.