Miles Ahead

"If you sacrifice your art because of some woman, or some man, or for some color, or for some wealth, you can't be trusted."

Photograph: Lee Greenfeld

Busy Being Born

Fare thee well to activist/historian/author Todd Gitlin. I read his book The Sixties: Years Of Hope, Days Of Rage the year it was published (when I was in high school), and to say it was a big inspiration on my way of thinking would be a major understatement. The book made me seek out so much, and helped form my early political outlook. He caught criticim in later years (much of it unwarrented in my mind), but stayed true to his basic ideals which first gained an audience back when he was president of the Students For A Democratic Society. The world lost an important fighter, thinker and chronicler. May his memory be a blessing.

Free Your Mind

"If this nation is to be wise as well as strong, if we are to achieve our destiny, then we need more new ideas for more wise men reading more good books in more public libraries. These libraries should be open to all—except the censor. We must know all the facts and hear all the alternatives and listen to all the criticisms. Let us welcome controversial books and controversial authors. For the Bill Of Rights is the guardian of our security as well as our liberty."