A Warm Place

A beautiful, wise, and warm man's book has closed. His name was Tim Kimrey. Tim was warmth. Tim was welcome. Tim was a friend as soon as you crossed his threshold.

Many of us crossed his threshold over the years. Tim had a physically debilitating disease which made it difficult for him to go out. So... he created a house concert series at his home so the music and the friends came to him.

He still went out now and then though. The last show I watched alongside him was on June 18, 2005. Alejandro Escovedo, Caitlin Cary and Thad Cockrell were at the Cat's Cradle, just down the road from where Tim lived in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. We talked for a long time before the show, he sitting in his wheelchair, me scrunching down beside him, basking in his amazing spirit. We talked about birds and shrubbery and Los Angeles. The show was sublime, seeing it with Tim made it all the more special.

Here is a very nice photo essay about him by a UNC-Chapel Hill student.

Peter Blackstock, co-editor of No Depression magazine wrote this tribute to Tim on his blog, "Peter's Postscripts."

"Music Loses a Friend" was written by David Menconi for the (Raleigh, North Carolina) News and Observer.

Tim was a wellspring of love, passion, fascination and awe. He lived deeply and truly. Many will miss him ~ everyone whose life he touched was changed for the better by him.

Peace to you, my friend.

Remembering Malcolm X

Remembering Malcolm X "because he loved us so"
by Robert

"Today is the 41st anniversary of the murder and death of Bro. Min. Malcolm X.

"At a speaking engagement in the Manhattan's Audubon Ballroom on February 21, 1965, three gunmen rushed Bro. Min. Malcolm X onstage. They shot him 15 times at close range. The 39-year-old was pronounced dead on arrival at New York's Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. The world had lost a strong and valuable voice and man.

"This Eulogy by Ossie Davis is such a fitting tribute to such a man who did so much for so many. Read it, and please remember Malcolm X today – 'The Shining Prince' is gone but his memory and teachings live on. R.I.P. Bro. Min. Malcolm X and thank you."

Malcolm X’s eulogy delivered by Ossie Davis at the funeral of Malcolm X at Faith Temple Church Of God, February 27, 1965:

"Here - at this final hour, in this quiet place - Harlem has come to bid farewell to one of its brightest hopes - extinguished now, and gone from us forever. For Harlem is where he worked and where he struggled and fought - his home of homes, where his heart was, and where his people are - and it is, therefore, most fitting that we meet once again - in Harlem - to share these last moments with him. For Harlem has ever been gracious to those who have loved her, have fought her, and have defended her honor even to the death.”

“It is not in the memory of man that this beleaguered, unfortunate, but nonetheless proud community has found a braver, more gallant young champion than this Afro-American who lies before us - unconquered still. I say the word again, as he would want me to : Afro-American - Afro-American Malcolm, who was a master, was most meticulous in his use of words. Nobody knew better than he the power words have over minds of men. Malcolm had stopped being a 'Negro' years ago. It had become too small, too puny, too weak a word for him. Malcolm was bigger than that. Malcolm had become an Afro-American and he wanted - so desperately - that we, that all his people, would become Afro-Americans too.”

“There are those who will consider it their duty, as friends of the Negro people, to tell us to revile him, to flee, even from the presence of his memory, to save ourselves by writing him out of the history of our turbulent times. Many will ask what Harlem finds to honor in this stormy, controversial and bold young captain - and we will smile. Many will say turn away - away from this man, for he is not a man but a demon, a monster, a subverter and an enemy of the black man - and we will smile. They will say that he is of hate - a fanatic, a racist - who can only bring evil to the cause for which you struggle! And we will answer and say to them: Did you ever talk to Brother Malcolm? Did you ever touch him, or have him smile at you? Did you ever really listen to him? Did he ever do a mean thing? Was he ever himself associated with violence or any public disturbance? For if you did you would know him. And if you knew him you would know why we must honor him.”

“Malcolm was our manhood, our living, black manhood! This was his meaning to his people. And, in honoring him, we honor the best in ourselves. Last year, from Africa, he wrote these words to a friend: 'My journey', he says, 'is almost ended, and I have a much broader scope than when I started out, which I believe will add new life and dimension to our struggle for freedom and honor and dignity in the States. I am writing these things so that you will know for a fact the tremendous sympathy and support we have among the African States for our Human Rights struggle. The main thing is that we keep a United Front wherein our most valuable time and energy will not be wasted fighting each other.' However we may have differed with him - or with each other about him and his value as a man - let his going from us serve only to bring us together, now.”

“Consigning these mortal remains to earth, the common mother of all, secure in the knowledge that what we place in the ground is no more now a man - but a seed - which, after the winter of our discontent, will come forth again to meet us. And we will know him then for what he was and is - a Prince - our own black shining Prince! - who didn't hesitate to die, because he loved us so".

(End of quoted article)

Here is a great link to Malcolm's eulogy by Ossie Davis.

Here is a link to a speech by Malcolm X given on November 10, 1963 in Detroit, Michigan.

The movie "Malcolm X" is based on The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told to Alex Haley. Reading the book and watching the movie were both eye-opening experiences for me. I'd learned so little about his history in school and most of it was colored with negativity. We owe it to ourselves to look deeper.

Dedication of the Washington Monument

Today, February 21, 2006 marks the 121st anniversary of the dedication of the Washington Monument in Washington, DC.

Are You Ready For The Future?

Most of us are a bit wary when asked directly for personal information. We think twice before we share even our home phone number or address. Most of us have had the experience of being required to enter information into webpages or on forms for employers, schools, or other service providers. When the request is not face-to-face we are more likely to think of it as innocuous. But it is not. Everyday our personal information is compiled and entered into databases. We trust that these databases are being used to serve our needs. Nothing could be farther from the truth. These databases are marketing tools which segue seamlessly into sophisticated spying tools to serve the needs of governments and corporations.

Our doctors enter information about us into their records, but also share information with the CDC, local and state health agencies, and insurance companies. Our banking records are kept in exacting detail. Both our debit card and our credit card purchases are tracked and compiled. Even our tastes and preferences in music and books are tracked if we shop online or use VIP or member cards at stores. Our food purchases are tracked. It goes on and on...you get the idea.

This small movie from the ACLU page illustrates how this gathering of information might effect our lives in the not too distant future. There is a laugh, but the deeper reality is frightening. (Note from August 30, 2007, unfortunately this video has been removed from the server. If I can find it again, I'll change the link. Mona)

Thanks to my bud's great friend and cuz Freddie for sending this along!

*Be sure your sound is on when you open the movie.