FRAMES
There was a time when I thought he could become the first black President. It was the late 60's and his articulate and cool response to issues of race, even platform and credential matters in the Democratic party demonstrated intelligence, class and true leadership. I interviewed Julian Bond several times over the years I covered civil rights, race issues and politics. He was a key source in KLAN the documentary I wrote and directed that won the Emmy.
Bond had charisma, a great sense of humor and was an eloquent leader. His passing serves as a reminder of the fragility and temporal nature of life, especially poignant to me since he was once "a rising star" and a generational peer. It is also a reminder of the power of intellect and temperance even in the face of mindless bigotry and hatred. One person, acting with dignity, conviction and reason can make a difference.
Bond had charisma, a great sense of humor and was an eloquent leader. His passing serves as a reminder of the fragility and temporal nature of life, especially poignant to me since he was once "a rising star" and a generational peer. It is also a reminder of the power of intellect and temperance even in the face of mindless bigotry and hatred. One person, acting with dignity, conviction and reason can make a difference.
Julian Bond was a light in the struggle for equality.
LIGHT OF ANOTHER SORT
David Simon, who has won awards and fans for WIRE and TREME has started his new HBO series SHOW ME A HERO by pealing the layers of racism and anti Semitism in historic Yonkers.
The mini series is based on New York Times reporter Lisa Belkin's book and details the late 80's and early 90's struggle to build federally mandated public housing in Yonkers.
Paul Haggis directs the series starting Oscar Issac. The first two episodes feature terrific acting including a knock out job by Jim Belushi as an embattled Mayor.
It promises to be a brilliant series. It is also a case in point of how difficult it has become in this republic-layers of competing governmental interests, individual attitudes both good and bad, partisan politics and plenty of unbridled short sightedness and personal interests above common good. It is a lot of human grist for the nuanced script written by veteran journalists. Art imitating life.
FRAMES IIIt promises to be a brilliant series. It is also a case in point of how difficult it has become in this republic-layers of competing governmental interests, individual attitudes both good and bad, partisan politics and plenty of unbridled short sightedness and personal interests above common good. It is a lot of human grist for the nuanced script written by veteran journalists. Art imitating life.
See you down the trail.
Remember his fellow legislators in GA, wouldn't seat him for a year because he was against the Viet Nam War? Took a Supreme Court ruling for him to go to work.
ReplyDeleteI also held Julian Bond in high regard. We need more statesmen like him.
ReplyDeleteMy wife Cary when she was working on a state ConCon had him brought in as cosult for their new constitution. She had a big crush on him, can't blame her.
ReplyDeleteconsult, sorry.
DeleteI interviewed him a couple of times back in the day. He was a pretty one.
ReplyDeleteI was watching the Democratic National Convention on television when Bond declined nomination because he hadn't reached the required age for office. Hadn't realized he was so young and afterwards followed his remarkable career with interest. World made more sense with Bond in it.
ReplyDelete