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StoryCorps' David Isay talks about listeningAugust 21, 2008 
by Meghan Berry '09 The class of 2009 listened intently to David Isay, the founder of StoryCorps, an oral history project, on Wednesday evening in the Lecture Hall. The award-winning radio documentarian believes everyone has a story to tell and has decided to devote his life to the StoryCorps project, which promotes listening to loved ones through one-on-one interviews in a secluded booth. Participants receive an audio recording of their conversation. A second copy is sent to the Library of Congress. Isay opened his lecture with a series of audio clips, which he likened to "a shot of adrenaline right to the heart." Students listened to stories from the wrongfully accused in prison, witnesses to executions and children living in Chicago’s projects, and admired the intimacy achieved with the subjects in each piece. "Be curious, be open and always keep your promises," Isay said. "Follow these few simple rules of being a normal human being and you’ll go far." One clip, "Ghetto Life 101," inspired the StoryCorps project. Isay shared several clips from StoryCorps interviews. The audience was captivated and, at times, in tears. The series of conversations between Danny and Annie Perasa—for which a StoryCorps booth is now named—was a favorite among students. The couple shared the story of their first date—25 years earlier—anecdotes from married life, and thoughts on Danny’s failing health. Listen to Danny and Annie Perasa “These are real American stories that remind us how lucky we are to be alive,” Isay said. In his concluding remarks, Isay advised students: “Take risks. Fight hard to do stories you care about and projects you love.” Learn more about StoryCorps and Sound Portraits. Isay is the author of Listening is an Act of Love. Visit the Event Archive to learn more about lectures at the Journalism School. |
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