Up early mulling over the tremendous success and reception of our sold out Rustin event that attracted 375 of among the most diverse audiences I hav seen in St Louis. When my friend Warren Rosenblum, a historian who teaches at Webster entered the Lee Auditorium, he was a bit stunned. "All these people for a history program, " he said w glee. And I was thinking, all these people for a history program about someone that many had not heard of. AND on a nite w three other major events: the Vsa Missouri book launch at the Central Library, the final poetry reading at Duff s and the closing of the Fringe Festival, all of which drew friends and colleagues. And that was what I knew about We were fortunate to hav had media support and coverage from Mary Edwards and KWMU, from Colin Murphy and Darin Slyman and the Vital Voice, from Chris King And the St. Louis American, to be pix from Alive Mag (thx Kelly Hamilton and Elizabeth Tucker) and the RFT. A little too predictably These days, the Post-Dispatch was missing in action but we had plenty of other media coverage and that helped get the word out, as did offering tables at a reception to over 25 orgs Our turn out on a Monday nite was the result of steady conscientious planning and networking for months. But it signaled something else, too, of equal importance. It said that we do want to look at history, to understand why the past may look the way it does, that we are willing to look at racism and homophobia, that we are hungry to find inspiration for what constitutes an ethical life, and to contemplate what it means to live a life of service. And that rather than staying home which is more convenient and easier, we want To do this together. I was so moved last night. I love the film, "Brother Outsider" And have seen it many times. It always makes me cry As I contemplate what it must have been like for Bayard Rustin To be jailed over 20 times in his lifetime, Beaten, Trailed by the FBI, Alternately sought after and dismissed by his colleagues. I marvel at his ability to stay the course, At what one man can accomplish if he is truly motivated But I was most touched by the coming together of so many different people last night. By their interest in history, Both our past and our future. The Missouri History Museum Felt alive and vital in the best possible ways last night. They Are truly serving the community. And I felt like last night we were creating our own history. Thank u all Who helped make this possible
Posted on: Tue, 25 Jun 2013 11:00:06 +0000
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