Flower in the River: A Family Tale Finally Told
Exploring my family's history has been an extraordinary adventure, but it's bittersweet. I'm haunted by the Eastland Disaster, especially since all who were there are now gone. There is one individual who I have always wanted to meet —Jun Fujita, the courageous photographer who fearlessly captured the essence of that fateful day, July 24, 1915.
But fate has a way of weaving unexpected threads. Just a few weeks ago, I connected with Graham Harrison Lee, the great-nephew of Jun Fujita, through social media. And it gets better - I just had the privilege of interviewing Graham for my podcast. At that moment, it felt as if I were in the presence of Jun himself since Graham had taken on the responsibility of preserving Jun's remarkable legacy. The irony of our meeting is nothing short of miraculous—a convergence of the great-niece of an Eastland victim and the great-nephew of the Eastland photographer.
Flower in the River Podcast is about to take another detour! Get ready for an intriguing investigation into the life of Jun Fujita, the renowned photographer of the Eastland Disaster of 1915. Jun was also a poet, artist and so much more. Our guide through this journey is Jun’s great-nephew, graphic artist and writer, Graham Harrison Lee. Together, we discuss the profound impact of Jun’s artistry.
We’ll explore Jun’s early days in Chicago, where he traded a potential career in electrical engineering for the pull of the camera lens. We also delve into his unbelievable knack for avoiding danger while being on the scene at the Eastland Disaster of 1915, the 1919 race riots, and the infamous St Valentine’s Day massacre. Get a glimpse into his fascinating social circle that included heavyweights like Hemingway and Carl Sandburg--and learn about The Dill Pickle Club, one of their favorite hangouts! Also, and Jun was crazy about puns and perfecting his Baked Alaska recipe!
Discover the intriguing stories of Jun’s knife-throwing abilities, his encounter with Al Capone (!), and his long journey to marry the love of his life, Florence Carr. We’ll talk about Jun’s thwarted attempt to enlist in World War I and how his influential connections helped him navigate challenging times of World War II. This episode is a heartfelt tribute to Jun’s enduring legacy, his contributions to photojournalism and poetry, and his lasting impact on countless lives. Don't forget to tune in next week for Part 2 of Through the Lens of Jun Fujita - with Graham Lee & Natalie Zett.
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