We discussed the organization Mobilization for Youth (MFY) when we learned that Ornette Coleman had applied there to perform. But MFY had further connections with jazz.
Amazing work as usual Mr. Porter-- you and your colleagues are allowing us to see these luminaries work through daily life, bringing greater richness to their music!
Those of us who lived through the Red Scare remember it well. Over the winter, I read Beverly Gage's well received "G-Man," a serious biography of J. Edgar Hoover. D.C. was a southern city when he grew up in it; in college, he joined a fraternity that might be described as an educated branch of the Klan. As he formed the FBI, he recruited from its members -- indeed, membership seemed have been a requirement of the job. Gage reveals some scary details of Hoover's actions against anything that the Black community and/or its leadership did to move the ball forward; the Red Scare, also a major pursuit, gave him cover for that.
When finished work in Cairo, IL with the United Front in 1970 (I ran out of money), I was visited by the FBI, hoping I would spill some dirt. The movement there was organized by an ecumenical group of preachers, working out of the rectory and parish hall of a Roman Catholic church.
Wow--fascinating stories Jim! I might ask you to say more at our next Founders meeting, if that's OK (in addition to your other topic). I personally think that letting Hoover remain in charge as essentially a "lifetime" appointment, unchallenged, was one of the stupidest and most destructive things our government ever did. THANKS!
The Gage book, which is extensively researched, is a must read. It reveals Hoover as a closeted gay who had a long term relationship with another FBI agent, and Hoover as politically sensitive, playing up to each newly elected President. It's not an expose, but rather a study of the man, his strengths and weaknesses, to which it is sensitive. Among those strong points are his vision for the Bureau, which he created as a young man, his ability to create a productive and efficient organization, including some things that were innovative and quite beneficial.
Perry Robinson talked about his involvement with the youth concert with Shepp et al in his autobiography
Interesting--I never read Perry's book, although I know about it. THANKS
It’s on Scribd if you want to check it out.
Good to know--THANKS!
Amazing work as usual Mr. Porter-- you and your colleagues are allowing us to see these luminaries work through daily life, bringing greater richness to their music!
Thanks Much Vinnie—I appreciate your own Substack writing, and your music too!
Those of us who lived through the Red Scare remember it well. Over the winter, I read Beverly Gage's well received "G-Man," a serious biography of J. Edgar Hoover. D.C. was a southern city when he grew up in it; in college, he joined a fraternity that might be described as an educated branch of the Klan. As he formed the FBI, he recruited from its members -- indeed, membership seemed have been a requirement of the job. Gage reveals some scary details of Hoover's actions against anything that the Black community and/or its leadership did to move the ball forward; the Red Scare, also a major pursuit, gave him cover for that.
When finished work in Cairo, IL with the United Front in 1970 (I ran out of money), I was visited by the FBI, hoping I would spill some dirt. The movement there was organized by an ecumenical group of preachers, working out of the rectory and parish hall of a Roman Catholic church.
Wow--fascinating stories Jim! I might ask you to say more at our next Founders meeting, if that's OK (in addition to your other topic). I personally think that letting Hoover remain in charge as essentially a "lifetime" appointment, unchallenged, was one of the stupidest and most destructive things our government ever did. THANKS!
The Gage book, which is extensively researched, is a must read. It reveals Hoover as a closeted gay who had a long term relationship with another FBI agent, and Hoover as politically sensitive, playing up to each newly elected President. It's not an expose, but rather a study of the man, his strengths and weaknesses, to which it is sensitive. Among those strong points are his vision for the Bureau, which he created as a young man, his ability to create a productive and efficient organization, including some things that were innovative and quite beneficial.
Very interesting--I will put it on my reading list. THANKS JIM!