|
Books by Marcus Bruce
Christian
Song of the Black Valiants: Marching Tempo
/
High Ground: A Collection of Poems /
Negro soldiers in the Battle of New Orleans
I am New
Orleans: A Poem
/
Negro Iron Workers of Louisiana: 1718-1900 /
The Liberty Monument
* * *
* *
Letter 37
Ruth
Anxious About War's End
Plans to Return to Will's Point
ARMY SERVICE FORCES
Chicago Signal Depot
1903 West Pershing Road
Chicago 9, Illinois
September 11, 1945
My dear Bruce,
Many thanks for your wonderful letter. I thoroughly enjoyed it
but must say I am somewhat disappointed in your reactions regarding Dillard. As
I remember, it had always been your desire to be connected with Dillard and now
that you are, more or less so, I, like Dr. Quarles, think you are making a
mistake. Are you quite sure you cannot find another plan other than the one you
have chosen without breaking away from Dillard? In doing so you may lose all
possible opportunity to achieve something at the University.
No, I don't think it wise but Bruce you know best and I am
sure if you're bent on such a measure your reasons must be sound.
I was glad to hear about Quarles, and sorry to hear about Dean
Moses. Somehow . . . when I think of Dillard I naturally think of Quarles and
Moses, and you of course, after that, there isn't much more.
As for Willie, I might say your summation was very clear and
concise. I am quite satisfied with what you have said. I don't care that much
about gossip to pursue the matter any further.
Many thanks for the book. Received it the same day I received
your letter. It was kind of Bontemps to remember us together. I shall read it
and return it as soon as possible.
Yes, the war is over. And the next war will probably be the
end of all wars and the end of civilization as well. I think this could well be
called the Atomic age, what with the atom fighting our wars, driving our trains,
etc. It doesn't seem as though Science can go any further. I have been reading
about the Atomic bomb and last week there was a program entitled "Mr.
X" featuring Herbert Marshall. The story was about the rock from which the
atom was obtained . . . the Uranium, a piece of stalactite. The deposit of which
is found in Africa. Last week there was also an article in the DEFENDER to that
effect. Also on the front page of the Herald was the story of a Chicago Negro's
part in the developing of the Atomic bomb. This was the first instant of my
seeing a Negro make the front page.
I finally made 'Carmen Jones'. A Magnificent stage play.
However, I did not see Muriel Smith in the Lead. There is a double cast. It just
so happened the night I attended, Inez Matthews played Carmen. At any rate the
whole performance was Superb.
There are two more functions I must attend before returning
home. I simply must see ANNA LUCASTA and THE BALLET RUSSE DE MONTE CARLO. I have
chosen Sept. 28 when CHOPIN CONCERTO and SCHEHERAZADE will be presented. If I am
able I shall also try to make RIGOLETTO which is now playing at the Ashland
Boulevard Auditorium.
I am going to try to stay in Chicago until I have seen these.
My reason for saying this is because . . . my job is only a war job and may soon
be panning out. Almost half the Depot has been notified. I haven't as yet. It's
only a matter of weeks. They are transferring some folks to other jobs . . . I
don't think I'll be here too long. By October if things are right I may return
home to Will's Point, La. I have managed to buy myself a
swell Life time Schaeffer fountain pen. It's super.
When you obtain my folder from Dr. Dailey please keep it for
me. I will call for it sometime in the future. I don't need it right now.
Bruce, I had heard so much about
Oscar
Micheaux's WIND FROM NOWHERE that I decided to read it. It was
the most badly written piece of work I have ever put my hands
on. His story is good but I am afraid he doesn't know how to put
it down. Would you believe it, he ends it, "They lived
happily ever afterward." I am enclosing a circular of it
and also a program from the Grant Park Concert. The latter you
will of course return.
I am sorry for reprimanding you for your short note. I should
have realized you're a very busy man. Only I didn't know how busy. Forgive me
this time, won't you.
Give love to all.
Ruth
<<---Previous
* * * *
*
Ruth Warm again on Chicago and Gives Christian Her View of
Conflict /
Ruth Unhappy with Christian's Response
Ruth Lonely for
Christian Chicago Wears Thin /
Ruth Enjoys Negro
Life in Chicago /
Ruth, the Bible, & a
Marriage Certificate
Ruth Anxious Aout War's
End Plans to return to Will's Point
* *
* * *
Selected Letters
Selected Diary Notes Memories of Marcus B. Christian
(Cains) Christian's
BioBibliographical Record Introduction to I AM NEW
ORLEANS
A
Theory of a Black Aesthetic Magpies,
Goddesses, & Black Male Identity
Activist Works on Next Level of Change
Intro to I Am New
Orleans
Letter from Dillard University
A
Labor of Genuine Love
Letter of Gift of
Photos
Letters from
LSU and Skip Gates * * *
* *
|
Negro Iron Workers of Louisiana: 1718-1900
By Marcus Bruce Christian
Study of the blacksmith tradition and
New Orleans famous lace balconies and fences.
Acclaimed during his
life as the unofficial poet laureate of the New Orleans
African-American community, Marcus Christian recorded a
distinguished career as historian, journalist, and literary
scholar. He was a contributor to Pelican's
Gumbo Ya Ya, and also wrote many articles that
appeared in numerous newspapers, journals, and
general-interest publications. |
 |
* *
* * *
|
The Persistence of the Color Line
Racial Politics and the Obama Presidency
By Randall Kennedy
Among the best things about
The Persistence of the Color Line
is watching Mr. Kennedy hash through the
positions about Mr. Obama staked out by
black commentators on the left and
right, from Stanley Crouch and Cornel
West to Juan Williams and Tavis Smiley.
He can be pointed. Noting the way Mr.
Smiley consistently “voiced skepticism
regarding whether blacks should back
Obama” . . .
The
finest chapter in
The Persistence of the Color Line
is so resonant, and so personal, it
could nearly be the basis for a book of
its own. That chapter is titled
“Reverend Wright and My Father:
Reflections on Blacks and Patriotism.”
Recalling some of the criticisms of
America’s past made by Mr. Obama’s
former pastor, Mr. Kennedy writes with
feeling about his own father, who put
each of his three of his children
through Princeton but who “never forgave
American society for its racist
mistreatment of him and those whom he
most loved.” His father distrusted
the police, who had frequently called
him “boy,” and rejected patriotism. Mr.
Kennedy’s father “relished Muhammad
Ali’s quip that the Vietcong had never
called him ‘nigger.’ ” The author places
his father, and Mr. Wright, in
sympathetic historical light. |
 |
* *
* * *
|
|
Sex at the Margins
Migration, Labour Markets and the Rescue Industry
By Laura María Agustín
This book explodes several myths: that selling sex is completely different from any other kind of work, that migrants who sell sex are passive victims and that the multitude of people out to save them are without self-interest. Laura Agustín makes a passionate case against these stereotypes, arguing that the label 'trafficked' does not accurately describe migrants' lives and that the 'rescue industry' serves to disempower them. Based on extensive research amongst both migrants who sell sex and social helpers, Sex at the Margins provides a radically different analysis. Frequently, says Agustin, migrants make rational choices to travel and work in the sex industry, and although they are treated like a marginalised group they form part of the dynamic global economy. Both powerful and controversial, this book is essential reading for all those who want to understand the increasingly important relationship between sex markets, migration and the desire for social justice. "Sex at the Margins rips apart distinctions between migrants, service work and sexual labour and reveals the utter complexity of the contemporary sex industry. This book is set to be a trailblazer in the study of sexuality."—Lisa Adkins, University of London |
* *
* * *
The White Masters of the
World
From
The World and Africa, 1965
By W. E. B. Du Bois
W. E. B. Du Bois’
Arraignment and Indictment of White Civilization
(Fletcher)
* *
* * *
Ancient African Nations
* * * * *
If you like this page consider making a donation
* * * * *
Negro Digest /
Black World
Browse all issues
1950
1960
1965
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
____ 2005
Enjoy!
* * * * *
The Death of Emmett Till by Bob Dylan
/
The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll
/
Only a Pawn in Their Game
Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson Thanks America for
Slavery
* *
* * *
The Journal of Negro History issues at Project Gutenberg
The
Haitian Declaration of Independence 1804
/
January 1, 1804 -- The Founding of
Haiti
* * * * *
* *
* * *
ChickenBones Store
(Books, DVDs, Music, and more)
update 2 March 2012
|
