just another ex-jazz-musician/proto-rapper/Jersey-Irish-poet-actor/print-junkie/film-raptor/beat-hipster-"white Negro"-rhapsodizer/ex-hippie-punk-'60s-radical-organizer's take on all things cultural, political, spiritual & aggrandizing
Saturday, April 15, 2017
IN HONOR OF THE ANNIVERSARY OF JACKIE ROBINSON'S ENTRY INTO THE UP-TO-THEN "WHITES ONLY" MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL (AND "POETRY MONTH")
It's always a joy and re-learning experience to read this poem. I was born in 1945 and grew up in those times. And watching the Friday night fights with my father (I remember particularly the brutal fights between Carmen Basilio and Gene Fulmer). Being from Toledo, Ohio, my guy was Larry Doby who was the first Black man to play in the American League with Cleveland. And, oh boy, was I pissed when they traded him to the White Sox! Anyway, thanks for writing that poem which will resonate for years to come. As it's said, nothing ever changes.
It's always a joy and re-learning experience to read this poem. I was born in 1945 and grew up in those times. And watching the Friday night fights with my father (I remember particularly the brutal fights between Carmen Basilio and Gene Fulmer). Being from Toledo, Ohio, my guy was Larry Doby who was the first Black man to play in the American League with Cleveland. And, oh boy, was I pissed when they traded him to the White Sox! Anyway, thanks for writing that poem which will resonate for years to come. As it's said, nothing ever changes.
ReplyDeletethanks Bob, that means a lot to me
ReplyDelete