A Parent's View of a Kid Growing Up in Lawrence

Abstract

Alan Sica invited me to speak about Erik at this centennial celebration, stating that "your view of how this famous sociologist developed would only augment his own fascinating remarks." Of course I was delighted to do so. I was nonplussed, however, about what to say, and Erik was worried that I would embarrass him. I reassured him by pointing out that, after all, he was a product of the times, the town, his family, including his grandparents who lived in Lawrence at the time, and of course himself; any of his triumphs, therefore, would be triumphs extending to many others as well. In what I have to say, I hope to be able to show that.