Eclectique|916

I see the moment we are witnessing as a civil rights movement rather than a push to topple the regime. If Rosa Parks was the American “mother of the civil rights movement,” the young woman who was killed point blank in the course of a demonstration, Neda Agha-Soltan, might very well emerge as its Iranian granddaughter.

Hamid Dabashi, Hagop Kevorkian professor of Iranian studies and comparative literature at Columbia University, is the author of, among other books, “Iran: A People Interrupted.” Source: NY Times.

All I can do is watch, listen, and maybe learn something. But it’s no surprise the results of the Iranian election would be deemed certifiable. This week the Guardian Council made it official that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the winner of the Presidential elections.

For now the crackdown on demonstrations, press, and opposition in Iran appears to have successfully imposed a new order, but still leaves open questions or wounds about the future of the Islamic Republic. It’s still a story without an ending. But who’s story is it? How will the story of the last several weeks be told, and in what form or medium? I’m always interested in the artistic responses in these matters.

The National Iranian American Council’s “Insight blog” (a good source for up-to-date information) noted this graphic of the Ayatollah Khomeini on Mousavi’s Facebook page.
Translated – “The measure of a nation is its vote.” Here is an artistic interpretation on the theme of “Remember where you came from.” In this case the 1979 revolution that created the Islamic Republic.

Persianesque.com, a “modern on-line Iranian magazine,” is posting cultural and artistic responses to recent events in Iran.

Earlier posts include a photo montage edited to the song “The Owner of this Land” by Hamed Nikpay. Nikpay was born in Iran and lives in southern California. He incorporates traditional Persian music into his work. On the musician’s URL page for “The Owner of this Land” is the video and this dedication:

“With pride and humility, I dedicate this song to the memory of those who lost their lives, and to the courageous men and women of Iran who have put their lives in the harms way to continue the struggle for democracy with unbreakable resolve and unshakable determination.” - Hamed

I’m going to pass on Wyclef Jean and his YouTube video singing a song he composed for the Iranian people that transitions to Bob Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry.” Bon Jovi has stepped up to the plate with a little of the same but invites a popular Iranian artist, Andy Madadian, to join him in singing “Stand By Me” in Persian with Richie Sambora.

And Joan Baez loaded her own video singing the civil rights anthem “We Shall Overcome” recorded in what appears to be her home kitchen. Baez’s voice always has a melodic ring of clarity. She also sings the chorus in Persian/Farsi. Baez’s video is a reminder that the U.S. civil rights movement was not about overthrowing the government, but to bring the government and the country closer to living up to the promise and principles on which the democratic nation was founded.

One band may break out from just a one-video wonder at least on this side of the ocean. The Freedom Glory Project featuring Raam, the lead singer from the Tehran underground band Hypernova.

[Hypernova will perform in Washington, DC July 18 at Rock N Roll Hotel, 1353 H Street, NE.]

At this point it’s unclear if a “We Are the World” campaign will get the reform movement to the mountain top especially if the message is coming from outsiders. Iranian citizens have already willingly put their own bodies on the line for reform.

But if this movement will be televised on YouTube, what does it mean for communities outside Tehran and other major cities that remain unplugged? And the use of Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube shouldn’t be misinterpreted as an open invitation to the U.S. to meddle. (Is this the first time I’ve heard the word “meddling” used in official policy terms?)

There’s a sour history between the U.S.A. and Iran going back to 1953 when the U.S. instrumented a coup on their democratically elected president installing the Shah. That led to the 1979 Revolution resulting in the hostage situation at the U.S. Embassy and the creation of the Islamic Republic. Hopefully, recent events have pushed the mute button on “bomb, bomb Iran” Obviously, not so for former UN Ambassador John Bolton clearly humming the melody and signaling Israel to sing the chorus. (See the Op-Ed in today’s Washington Post.) A “Don’t take the bombing personally. It’s your regime we don’t like” sentiment.

Poetry has a long an beautiful history in Iranian and Persian culture. John Lundberg who blogs on Huffington Post highlights poetry emerging from the “Revolution” (those are his words). Among the scribes is candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi’s wife Zahra.

Let the wolves know that in our tribe
If the father dies, his gun will remain
Even if all the men of the tribe are killed
A baby son will remain in the wooden cradle.

Another is Sholeh Wolpe, an Iranian American residing in California wrote a poem for Neda Agha Soltan, the 26-year-old Iranian student whose shooting death during a demonstraton was captured on citizen video and posted on YouTube.

I Am Neda
Leave the Basiji bullet in my heart,
fall to prayer in my blood,
and hush, father
–I am not dead.
More light than mass,
I rise through you,
breathe with your eyes,
stand in your shoes, on the rooftops,
in the streets, march with you
in the cities and villages of our country
shouting through you, with you.
I am Neda–thunder on your tongue.

Ahmadinejad has also taken creative control over Neda’s story vowing to find her “real killer,” according to reports. So far the doctor who came to help her aid is now being recast as an “enemy of the state.” This is like someone buying the movie rights to your life story and changing the characters for dramatic effect. In the first rewrite the script casts doubt on what people actually saw. Where did the bullet enter? Where was the shooter? What was the make of the gun? How did her body move upon impact? Back and to the left. Back and to the left. Now watch the video again. It would make Oliver Stone’s head spin. The final draft or shooting script for Neda’s story will most likely remove any and all traces of martyrdom.

Contradiction becomes its own art form in this story.

If there’s an American poem that might resonate with it’s “If We Must Die,” written in 1919 by the Jamaican-born Harlem Renassance poet Claude McKay (1889 – 1948). McKay composed the poem in response to the race riots in the U.S. where white assailants terrorized black neighborhoods.

If we must die, let it not be like hogs
Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot,
While round us bark the mad and hungry dogs,
Making their mock at our accursed lot.
If we must die, O let us nobly die,
So that our precious blood may not be shed
In vain; then even the monsters we defy
Shall be constrained to honor us though dead!
O kinsmen we must meet the common foe!
Though far outnumbered let us show us brave,
And for their thousand blows deal one deathblow!
What though before us lies the open grave?
Like men we’ll face the murderous, cowardly pack,
Pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back!

Could be the voices crying “Allah-o Akbar!” from the rooftops into the night air, has returned as the spoken word of this generation’smoment.

For additional news and information on Iran and Persian-related events, visit

UPDATES are included in this post.

One would think “fade to black” would be the epithet for the last 6 days of coverage of Michael Jackson’s life and death (1958 - 2009). I haven’t seen so many pictures of Michael’s early career on display complete with Afro and brown skin since…he looked like that. Maybe it’s a need to recapture the innocence lost in the crazy hazy world of show business and the trials and traumas of superstardom. Maybe it means not having to say “grow up” anymore. Maybe it’s a reminder he was someone’s son, brother, neighbor, and friend.

To be honest, I can’t recall a bad day, a bad mood or moment listening to Michael’s music. Now, every song is a constant reminder that he’s gone.

No doubt Michael Jackson’s death marks the end of something for American pop culture. CNN reports Michael will lie in state for a public viewing at his former Neverland Ranch in Santa Barbara County later this week.
Update: “Contrary to previous news reports, the Jackson family is officially stating that there will be no public or private viewing at Neverland,” the statement said. “Plans are underway regarding a public memorial for Michael Jackson, and we will announce those plans shortly.” Source: New York Times

In the tsunami of information (true and otherwise) there comes a time to go to higher ground. Here are a couple of notable news items from the past 6 days.

JACKSON 5 IN AFRICA

I got an email from Image Nation in New York announcing the first public viewing of an unfinished documentary about the Jackson 5’s trip to Senegal in 1974. The film was made by a group of African investors who ran out of money to complete it. The owner of the film wants to remain anonymous.
The screening is Tuesday, July 14 at 7 PM
The National Black Theatre
located at 2031-33 National Black Theatre Way
Fifth Avenue (Btwn 125th & 126th Streets) in Harlem
Tickets are $15 in advance, and they’re going, going…fast. Visit www.imagenation.us. If you’d like to volunteer for the event, email volunteers@imagenation.us The owner is also looking for buyers. Email gregory@imagenation.us.

NEW ORLEANS PAYS TRIBUTE WITH A SECOND-LINE
The New Orleans Social Aid and Pleasure Club Task Force hosted a second-line in memory of Michael Jackson on Sunday. The line-up was at the 1200 block of Bernard Street, in New Orleans.

BOOTSY COLLINS Interview
Bootsy Collins was not part of Michael’s inner circle or should I say orbit. Nevertheless, this is one of the best and most insightful interviews I’ve heard to date. Bootsy got his start as a bass player with Soul Brother #1, James Brown, then joined George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic before launching a solo career. Parliament and the Jackson 5 were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland in 1997. I got this one from Undercover Blackman who’s back on-line after a hiatus. And just in time. Check out UBM’s Vox blog for the interview. [Bill Cunningham is a conservative talk show host in Cincinnatti, OH. UBM has a slant on him.]

Update: DETAILS magazine Interview with Quincy Jones [part of Michael Jackson's inner circle] who says he is not attending the funeral.
…being there with 10 million people is not my idea of a tribute to somebody you were so close to—who’s got a part of your soul. Our souls were joined, you know. And a piece of it goes with him.

THE PRICE OF THE TICKET
When in doubt, go back to James Baldwin. This morning on “Democracy Now” (hosted by Amy Goodman), Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Margo Jefferson and Duke University professor Mark Anthony Neal talked about the life and legacy of Michael Jackson. Neal quoted from James Baldwin’s 1985 essay “Here Be Dragons”
The Michael Jackson cacophony is fascinating in that it is not about Jackson at all. I hope he has the good sense to know it and the good fortune to snatch his life out of the jaws of a carnivorous success.

Margo Jefferson, author of On Michael Jackson, wrote this for Salon.com
Suddenly, death has restored Michael Jackson to cultural respectability. Death gives us an easy way out of the unanswered questions and uneasy feelings. But (and this is the good thing), death also restores our total pleasure in his artistry. It makes me happy to see masses of people revel in the ache and charge of the music again, in the brilliant dancing, in the reckless splendor of his showmanship.

THE THIRD ACT
The Wall Street Journal (including the WSJ blog) and business and trade sections of newspapers or websites will be the go-tos for the next act of the Michael Jackson story. This story will evolve into how his debts and assets will be consolidated, sorted out, and distributed. At the end of the day it’s going to be about business, the lawyers, and the accountants. Vultures beware. My gut feeling is in the final analysis the estate will come out in the black. Arts management and entertainment law students and professionals will be taking notes.

Update: In Today’s NY Times:
The three best-selling albums in the United States last week were all by Mr. Jackson: “Number Ones” sold 108,000 copies; “The Essential Michael Jackson” sold 102,000; and “Thriller” sold 101,000, according to Nielsen SoundScan. In total, 422,000 copies of Mr. Jackson’s albums were sold in the week that ended on Sunday —more than 40 times the previous week’s figure — as fans snapped up everything in sight.

Sales of Michael Jackson’s album’s topped the Black Eyed Peas’ recent realease “The E.N.D.” which sold 88,000 and is #1 on the Billboard 200. Jackson’s music cannot occupy Billboard’s 200 (new releases), but he takes the top 9 spots on the catalog chart.

This week, the House passed an historic clean energy bill. Not only is this a sign that we can exhale, but maybe inhale cleaner air as well. The bill creates a national limit on greenhouse gasses and requires the “polluters” (that’s what the President calls them) to pay for it by buying credits. The next hurdle for the bill to clear is the Senate.

Here’s the break down of the House vote (H.R. 2454) by Congressperson and even Astrological sign. The bill was very popular with Scorpios. Overall, The American Clean Energy and Security Act passed by 7 votes.

It doesn’t hurt to emphasize “jobs” in any bill that’s sent up for a house vote especially in this economy. But at the same time, oversight has to be put in place. There are plenty of “hustlers” ready to make their moves on government funds to create “green jobs.” These are usually well connected, smooth talking shrewd business people who know little about the technology and logistics, but know very well the ins and outs of getting a government contract. Extensive evaluation of training and sustainability projects will be key. In other words, this can’t be business as usual. It has to be serious.

After a brutal week of loses from the Metro Red Line crash to the 1-2-3 punch of celebrity deaths (Ed, Farrah, and Michael), at least for now, we can let in a little fresh air.

Some people will say the debut of The Beatles on the “Ed Sullivan Show” was broadcast TV’s greatest moment. For me, it was this….

Michael Jackson , the lead singer for the 1970s brothers pop group The Jackson 5, and the solo “King of Pop,” died this afternoon in Los Angeles. He had a heart attack.

I’m stunned.

Update
The LA Times has a full page of articles and tributes on their site. Apparently heavy web traffic stalled Twitter, TMZ, the LA Times and other sources for updates on Michael Jackson who died from cardiac arrest. The family statement was made by Michael’s older brother Jermaine.

People are taking to the streets. DJs are spinning some of the old records. People are remembering the dance steps. I found my Jackson 5 “3rd Album.” My “Off the Wall” must be in storage. We’re all singing old Jackson 5 hits and Michael’s solo songs over the phone. ITunes has them up. The old skating rinks are gone where you glided over the floor to “Rock With You.” How do you do the moon walk on wheels? I’m moved by the generations of testimonies and memories of many who grew up with Michael Jackson. Some are just discovering that brown child with the Afro and apple cap who was a super star before morphing to “The King of Pop.” It speaks to Michael’s enormous influence on the culture. Michael broke the color barrier on MTV - the first music video broadcast on the channel featuring an African American performer.

There will be a USPS stamp in time, but which Michael will be immortalized? Flip through the photo albums on line from his childhood on up. I get the feeling it will be the “Thriller” Michael with the “ABC” Michael in the shadows.

I’m still stunned.

HEALTH CARE WATCH by the Numbers with Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight.com
As I lamented yesterday, health care is one of those areas where both popular opinion and sound public policy seem to take a backseat to protecting those stakeholders who benefit from the status quo.

Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight, the numbers cruncher whose stats predicted the crispy outcome of the election, is looking at the impact of special interest money from health care lobbyists on the outcome for health care reform on the Hill. In other words, it doesn’t look good for the majority of Americans who want a public option. Fortunately, Nate gives some pointers for a game upset (in the peoples favor).

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24TH - A BIG DAY!
From 4 – 8 pm there will be an Interfaith Service of Witness and Prayer for health care reform at Freedom Plaza (Washington, DC Pennsylvania Avenue between 13th & 14th Streets). Faithful Reform is the name of the organization recently formed to help faith-based advocates become aware of the issues and to make health care reform a reality.

The Smithsonian Folklife Festival opens Wednesday, June 24 on the national mall. Tents have been up for days. This year’s exhibits:
Giving Voice: The Power of Words in African American Culture
Las Americas: Music In Latino Culture
Wales

Poet Kenny Carroll sent an email around inviting people to join him Toni Blackman, Thomas Sayers Ellis and Sonia Sanchez for the opening ceremonies at the Giving Voice pavilion. Performance artist Holly Bass will be there too. Today’s her birthday! I might check out the food pavilion in the Wales exhibit. I have roots there too. Folklife Festival calendar is available on-line.

Not wishing to overstate the case, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is the pretentious, nonsensical, sexist, jingoistic, militaristic, CGI-dependent, product-placement-packed, hectically edited, punishingly loud, wearyingly long, eye-wateringly expensive, and, I predict, phenomenally profitable exemplar of everything that is most repulsive about Hollywood today.
Nicholas Barber, The Independent
TRANSFORMERS: Revenge of the Fallen opens. I always say, these movies are a preview of the next generation of military hardware. The film was made with support by the U.S. Department of Defense. “Stars and Stripes” describes how Transformers beat out G.I. Joe for the privilege. But what about General Motors? Will the Transformers be able to win the battle under a bankrupt GM hood? Apparently, director Michael Bay had some concern. Bumblebee was originally a VW Beetle in the cartoon series on which the movies are based. I guess there’s no place for Love Bugs on the field of battle.

THE MARKET IS UP
Eastern Market re-opens Friday! The historic market was nearly destroyed by fire in 2007. The restored market’s interior includes the original drab pink color from back-in-the-day and upgraded restrooms.

THE 5TH INNING – Book discussion with author E. Ethelbert Miller
Sunday, July 12, 4 PM @ Busboys and Poets (downtown – 1025 K Street, NW)Join me for a book discussion of THE 5TH INNING, a memoir by E. Ethelbert Miller. At the request of the author, I will be leading a discussion of his 2nd memoir (not quite the sequel to Fathering Words). THE 5TH INNING is published by PMPress/Busboys and Poets. You can pick up a copy at their 14th & V Street bookstore or order it on-line.

CATCHING UP
Last week I caught up with Clayton LeBeouf who sent me home with a DVD copy of “The Doll,” a short film based on the short story published in 1912 by Charles W. Chesnutt . The film was a project of Duke University’s course “Adapting Literature to Film” taught by Emmy Award winning filmmaker Dante James (director and executive producer of the film). Clayton is the co-producer and lead actor in “The Doll.” The film is hitting the festival circuit and won the “Best Film” award at the National Black Film Festival in Los Angeles. It’s a powerful story about racism, revenge, and choices. The main character, played by Clayton, is the owner of a barber shop and the single parent of a young daughter. What does this barber do when the man who killed his father asks for a close shave? While hanging out in Silver Spring, a few people recognized Clayton from the HBO series “The Wire.” Another guy thought he was an African liberation figure. Never a dull day with Clayton LeBeouf.

THE ECLECTIQUE PRESIDENT – After All these Months, Still in Love with the Word
According to this Politico column by Abby Phillip, President Barack Obama is a fan of Urdu poetry. The real source of the story is Pakistan’s English language news outlet “Dawn.” “Dawn” had an exclusive interview with the President last Friday in the White House – the first one-on-one Pakistani media interview with a U.S. President ever.

Here’s an excerpt from the interview

Any plan to visit Pakistan in the near future?’

‘I would love to visit. As you know, I had Pakistani roommates in college who were very close friends of mine. I went to visit them when I was still in college; was in Karachi and went to Hyderabad. Their mothers taught me to cook,’ said Mr Obama.

AI: ‘What can you cook?’

‘Oh, keema … daal … You name it, I can cook it. And so I have a great affinity for Pakistani culture and the great Urdu poets.’

‘You read Urdu poetry?’

‘Absolutely. So my hope is that I’m going to have an opportunity at some point to visit Pakistan,’ said Mr Obama.

Okay, what is Urdu poetry? Urdu is a language spoken in India, Pakistan and some neighboring South Asian countries. It is the national language of Pakistan. In the “Novice Nook” of Urdupoetry.com the description includes “Urdu poetry expresses human feelings, passion of love and the beauty of nature in a very melodious and elegant manner. Urdu has its own script which is similar to Persian.” Urdu poetry is performed in public in Mushairas or recitals.

There’s no definitive starting point for Urdu poetry, but its literary figures have been around since 1200 AD. Here’s a 20th century Urdu by Faiz Ahmad Faiz (1911 – 1984) translated by Naomi Lazard

Before You Came

Before you came things were just what they were:
the road precisely a road, the horizon fixed,
the limit of what could be seen,
a glass of wine was no more than a glass of wine.

Now you are here again—stay with me.
This time things will fall into place;
the road can be the road,
the sky nothing but sky;
the glass of wine, as it should be, the glass of wine.

Now THAT’s some smooth talkin’. As for keema - Try this at ContactPakistan.com - “Cooking with B.J.” You know, I think I’ve made keema from a friend’s recipe.

Barack Obama and I share a key identity in common -being shaped by the absence of our fathers. Though his father’s absence was more literal than mine, I still mull over which has the deepest impact: physical absence or emotional absence. I remember Joan Baez saying, the worst kind of loneliness is the loneliness of being with someone. [Note: While typing a tag for this post, I inadvertently typed "fartherhood." hmmm]

My father died of heart failure just a few days before Father’s Day 15 years ago. I’ve been asked to write about my father. For some reason people think the father-daughter play or film will be the most revealing account of our limited and strained relationship. The quest or witholding dance seems to be a more compelling story than the having. However, I’ve written that story in bits and pieces starting with a play titled “Anthropology.” I wrote it the year my father died. I channeled the story through two voices: two college age guys burrying the ashes of the biological father who was emotionally distant, and the spiritual father who left a positive impact on a troubled youth. The actors who performed it couldn’t believe it was written by a woman. Apparently, I was so right on with the male thing.

A little bit more of my father is revealed in my Church Lady Cakes project. My father lived in the past, as my mother described, the days of eating chocolate cake and drinking lemonade at the church social. Visiting open air markets, my fascination with horses, my love of travel — all are part of my father’s story. Perhaps all these things will culminate into my own Dreams From My Father.

My father comes from a very long and deep family line that has witnessed and been affected by every major event in U.S. history. When drafting my father’s eulogy, my sister observed that sometimes the best thing a parent can give a child may be life itself and I have to say, it’s kind of cool to have such deep roots. But I still dig for his story which may be far more interesting than our story. To his nephews and cousins, he was the life of the party, generous, fun. Who was that guy?

Seeing Barack Obama with his daughters often brings tears to my eyes. Okay, maybe I do miss something that I never had with my own father. But that’s where the growing part comes, and I see clearly why fatherhood is important to the man whose father left his life at the age of two, was raised by a single parent and his grandparents, and became President of the United States. We can’t brood over our losses for a lifetime. Barack Obama says he was shaped by his father’s absence. But now he wants his own children to be shaped by their father’s presence. And I’m sure he’s doing a lot more than just being there.

This one’s for the dads - I know a lot of cool ones. HAPPY FATHER’S DAY.

To read President Barack Obama’s Father’s Day letter published in today’s Parade Magazine, click here.

This weekly, the President uses his weekly address to outline the role of the newly formed Consumer Financial Protection Agency.

LUNCH AND DINNER WITH PAULA
When Paula suggested going to Legal Sea Foods on the wharf, I didn’t expect that we’d actually meet up for lunch in Boston. Legal is another Massachusetts institution like Dunkin Donuts, Herrell’s Ice Cream and Samuel Adams beer.

I had two cravings while in Boston: clam chowder and fish and chips. I had the chowder at Legal Sea Food, and the fish and chips at Scollay Square (21 Beacon Street, No 1) – a restaurant named for Boston’s old entertainment district lined with burlesque and vaudeville houses, and all kinds of commercial enterprises that made it the hubbub of the city. Scollay Square was razed in the early 1960s to make way for what’s now known as Government Square. Before becoming the entertainment center, Scollay Square catered to Boston’s elite class who apparently vacated for Beacon Hill.

I believe it was owner Christina Braga who made sure our party of four would eventually have a table at this small, old bank-like space trimmed with photographs of the neighborhood’s former self. Scollay Square might be the place for today’s professional elite from the State House, Financial District and City Hall to hang their hat and chow down on comfort foods like Pub Style Fish and Chips, baby ribs, Porterhouse Pork Chop, and Lobster Mac and Cheese. The food is moderately priced and satisfying with little to no fuss. You can fill your belly on it. I recommend the bar. Not a bad spot to enjoy a Samuel Adams while waiting on a table.

SHEPARD FAIREY SURVEY @ ICA
On Thursdays evenings, the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) relaxes their admission fee – it’s FREE. We went to check out the Shepard Fairey survey on display through August 16.

Followers may know Fairey best for his Andre the “Giant Obey” graffiti stencils or stamps slapped on street signs or any outside surface. The masses now know him for the iconic Obama “Hope” poster. The original is on display in all its largess in the exhibit. I haven’t decided whether I enjoy Fairey’s work as much indoors as I do outdoors.

I know the museum is aesthetically hip situated on Boston’s wharfs (100 Northern Avenue), but having to walk through a fenced-in parking lot to get to the entrance, doesn’t speak “pedestrian friendly.” The regular admission fee is $15 for adults; $10 for children. Actually, kids get a kick out of contemporary art. At one point I was fascinated watching a toddler’s attempt to make conversation while somersaulting in front of French artist Kader Attia’s “Oil and Sugar #2,” a video installment.

The museum is offering a bike tour of Fairey’s work in Boston and Cambridge June 28. Actually the Acting Out: Social Experiments in Video was kind of interesting.

Missed out on the free day (Wednesdays) at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.

To be continued…in Concord, MA (the final chapter)

Two weeks ago I was in Boston, MA not quite by choice, but by my sister’s persuasive and persistent argument that it was time I took a break from 24/7 work. She was in the city on business. In other words, the price was right for everyone to get out of town including my mother. This was one of the few times I actually played the part of “tourist” without embarassment.

This year, I rejoined the All Souls Church, Unitarian (DC). Boston is definitely a “mecca” of sorts for Unitarianism as the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) main office is located right across from the Commons on Beacon Street, and just a few strides from the Massachusetts State House. Since my sister works for the UUA, she often travels to Boston for meetings. For this trip there were a number of farewell parties including one for the out-going UUA President Rev. William G. Sinkford elected in 2001. Sinkford is the first African American President of the UUA. A new President will be elected at the UUA’s General Assembly next week.

The Universalist Church of America was founded by 1793, and the American Unitarian Association by 1825. In 1961, these denominations consolidated to form the new religion of Unitarian Universalism.
Source: UUA

I’m still learning and re-learning the history, principles (there are 7) and philosophies of Unitarianism, Universalism. Unitarians don’t talk about their religion too much or tele-evangelize. UUism isn’t a secret waiting for Oprah or a DVD release either. The denomination can boast an impressive roll call of American luminaries including four U.S. Presidents (John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Thomas Jefferson, William Howard Taft). This probably lets people know up front Unitarian Universalism isn’t a fringe element of the American spiritual landscape.

The UUA Walking Tour “Unitarian and Universalist in Boston is a start. I’m linking this post to the PDF here.

ON BOSTON
I was told, by a Unitarian minister, that the official religion of Boston is sports. I suppose the Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, and Bruins are the patron saints.

THE FEDERALISTS
I’ve learned to like federalist architecture. I like the smooth red brick houses on Beacon Hill. Charles Bulfinch (a Unitarian) designed the Massachusetts State House (pictured). Paul Revere, another Unitarian, installed the first dome made of copper. Bulfinch also designed the U.S. Capitol.

Since we were staying right behind the state house, I got to see all angles of it. I also got to see the line of news crews out front as the story broke that retired state house speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi was being indicted on corruption charges stemming from kickbacks delivered through contracts with a computer software firm. What is it with local government and software firms? I understand, this behavior isn’t new to the commonwealth. But there’s no escaping the bean counters who appear to be very dedicated fiscal watch dogs waiting for a fresh opportunity to pounce on state officials. Both DiMasi and the software firm have pleaded not-guilty.

FOUND ANCESTOR
When I got home, I confirmed Absalom Boston is one of my ancestors – a brother of a direct ancestor. He was a businessman, whaling captain and mariner from Nantucket. I saw his picture in an exhibit on African American entrepreneurs of Massachusetts in the Abiel Smith School, home of the Boston Museum of African American History (historic landmark along with the adjacent African Meeting House). I couldn’t help but note the ancestor’s two gold hoop earrings in his ears. Bostons definitely dare to be different. Absalom also worked to integrate Nantucket’s public schools. He was buried in a segregated cemetery when he died in 1855. During the visit we met a wonderful Harvard MBA candidate named Antonia from Harlem (NY). She’s planning a basketball tournament night out for July 11th in Harlem, NY (uptown). Stay tuned for Antonia.

STOMPING THE HARVARD YARD AND CAMBRIDGE
On my first visit to Harvard, many, many years ago, the first thing that struck me about the campus was how old it was, older than many of the campuses back at home and of my top choice colleges at the time. [Harvard was established in 1636.] This time when I arrived university was about to start Senior Class Day with Matt Lauer of “The Today Show” as the featured speaker. My mother and I crashed the yard for a few moments to soak up some atmosphere. There were proud parents from around the world, alumni masters of the universe, and lots of others milling about. A few dorms were open for bathroom breaks.

My friend Corinna recommended that I check out Herrell’s ice cream, one of those Massachusetts companies (a lot smaller than Dunkin Donuts). They have a shop in Cambridge across from the building that houses the Harvard Information Center at 15 Dunster Street. They were out of Corinna’s favorite, lemon mousse. I had the Brown Cow, a coffee ice cream with bites of chocolate and almonds swirled in. Nice texture. Good flavor without tasting artificial.

THEY’RE NOT VERY FRIENDLY PEOPLE
My mother is a senior citizen and I refuse to drive in Boston, so we traveled by the public transportation which means encountering strangers including city workers to get around. We got lost a few times. With the exceptoin of one surly cab driver, people appeared more than happy to help us with directions and other suggestions. Hear and there we got a friendly joke. Maybe I mis-interpreted. Maybe our non-Boston advisors meant “people in Boston are not overly friendly?” Where were those unfriendlies that week?

I had no idea Boston had the nation’s first subway – built in 1895. Photo: Mural on the wall of the platform for the Park Street subway station.

Boston’s McDonalds has root beer. I know that’s no big deal, but if you love root beer and can never get it consistently in your fast food joints back home, I say this is a plus for Boston!

THE JOHN F. KENNEDY PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY
We only had 90 minutes in the museum before it closed for the day, so we got a discount on the tickets. The JFK museum/library appears to be a collection of the ideas and idealism of John F. Kennedy not just a biographical collection of material objects. This JFK quote stood out for me:
The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie — deliberate, contrived and dishonest — but the myth — persistent, persuasive and unrealistic.

To be continued….

Correction: June 21 is Father’s Day! . Earlier, I posted June 14 - But I still dig the video.

The holiday was started in Spokane, Washington, June 19, 1910. Sonora Smart wanted to celebrate the single parent who was her father after hearing a Mother’s Day sermon in chruch. William Jackson Smart lost his wife and Sonora’s mother leaving him to raise his children on his own. President Richard Nixon established a permanent national recognition of Father’s Day in 1972. PSA courtesy of Bomani (www.notarapper.com)

In today’s Washington Post, Robin Givhan reviews SEPTEMBER ISSUE, R.J. Cutler’s documentary about the cover-to-cover process of putting together the door-stopper weighted September Vogue . Robin Givhan will moderate the post-screening discussion with R.J. Cutler (PERFECT CANDIDATE, THE WAR ROOM) at the SilverDocs screening Friday, June 19th.

Audiences may not find her sympathetic. But director R.J. Cutler accomplishes what has eluded so many others: He makes Wintour human.

I’ve got tickets!

Washington Post published a special “Book World” insert with the summer reading list. But only for today.

IT’S 2009 HERE. WHAT YEAR IS IT IN IRAN? 1979, 2000?

While Iranian nationals dispute the election results, the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has, for the second time, endorsed the “re-election” of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad by a landslide over the reformist challenger Mir Hossein Mousavi. The National Iranian American Council (NIAC) is live-blogging the riots fall-out from Friday’s elections which for observers are described as having “irregularities.” Students in Tehran’s University are under attack and tweeting for help. Protests come to the Iranian Interest Section in DC according to Persianesque.com. Internet and web access is slowing to a creep in Iran.

Is this election reflecting more than just the digital divide?

NIAC will hold a policy conference:
U.S. & Iran: Between Elections & Enrichment Wednesday, June 17, 8:00AM-12:10PMCapitol Visitors Center Auditorium, Capitol Hill
Breakfast & Refreshments will be served
RSVP ONLY by June 16 to Michelle Moghtader at rsvp@niacouncil.org or (202) 386-6319. Priority given to Members of Congress, Staff, & Accredited Media
Update: A speaker list and more information is posted here.