Letters

New Crisis, The, Nov/Dec 2002

Remembering Arna Bontemps

Via The Crisis I remain connected with information on the Harlem Renaissance writers and their works. In the September/October issue, Charles L. James put the spotlight on one of my favorites, Arna Bontemps. The inclusion of the poem "Nocturne at Bethesda" was of special significance to me because I committed it to memory a long time ago. I had the pleasure of meeting Bontemps at Virginia Union University when he was the librarian at Fisk University. I would like to thank Mr. James for extending the scope of my knowledge about Bontemps' life, about his thoughts and even about the possible source of his name.

Alma T Irvine Lynchburg, Va.

The recent cover of The Crisis featuring a photo of Ama Bontemps was a fitting tribute to a truly admirable man. During my freshman year at Fisk (195758), I worked at the library where Mr. Bontemps was librarian. He had a grace and gentleness about him that was striking. He always had a smile and a thoughtful comment. It was not until I left Fisk that I learned that he was an accomplished and well-known writer during the Harlem Renaissance. I will long remember the patient and caring manner of this truly exemplary brother.

Mauris L Emeka Port Orchard, Wash. Via E-mail

In reference to the Jane Addams award mentioned in Charles James' splendid article on Arna Bontemps [who was honored with the award in 1956 for his juvenile history The Story of the Negro], I thought you'd be pleased to know that the Jane Addams Children's Book Award program still seeks out worthy works for children.

Evelyn A. Mauss Neponsit, MY

For further information about the award, contact The Jane Addams Peace Association, 777 United Nations Plaza, 6th Floor, New York, N. Y 10017-3521; the assocation's phone number is 212-682-8830.

Sept. 11, One Year Later

Having visited the Holocaust museums in both Washington, D.C., and Poland, the "Holy Land" and more than 25 world capitals should give some credence to my statement that the article written by Robin D.G. Kelley ["Reflections on September 11: Freedom Dreams Undeferred," September/October] is the best article I have ever read describing the world situation and our part in it. The Crisis is a great magazine.

Dean Naugle Salix, Pa.

A Great Issue Overall

As a reader of The Crisis for more than 50 years, I would be negligent if I did not express my feelings about the most recent issue [September/October]. Several distinctive articles impressed me, including Robin D.G. Kelley's reflection on Sept. 11, Manning Marable's "Selling Malcolm" and the profile on Arna Bontemps. The improvement in The Crisis is certainly obvious. It has been restored to be something special. Congratulations on your efforts.

Walter Hooke Cambridge, MY

Black Violinists, Breaking Barriers

"Black Strings" by Rosalyn Story [September/October] was very interesting and long overdue. However, she did not mention several Black violinists who performed in the field of jazz. I will mention some of them: Stuff Smith, Ray Nance and Fiddler Williams, who played jazz to perfection in addition to playing in symphonies. Special mention goes to Slam Stewart, a bass violinist who played with all the jazz greats in addition to playing with the St. Louis Symphony.

I am very familiar with the nonacceptance of Black musicians in symphonies across the United States and especially in West Virginia. The Charleston Symphony (now called the West Virginia Symphony) would not hire Black musicians when there were at least four or five Black classical violinists available in this area. The West Virginia Symphony now carries my name on its principal bass violin chair, thanks to a monumental endowment in my honor.

Hubert "Rabbit" Jones Charleston, W. Va. Via E-mail

The Brave Who Fought Jim Crow Lottie Joiner's review of the PBS documentary The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow [September/October] took me back down the memory lane of African American history. Not only did her article highlight the continual injustices that were done to Black people in North America, but it also showed their determination never to give up.

R. Peteet Riverdale, Ga.

Appreciation for June Jordan, A Clarification

A correction should be made to Junichi P. Semitsu's otherwise extraordinary tribute to June Jordan. The SEEK [Search for Education, Elevation and Knowledge] Program was a landmark effort at the City College of New York; it was not located in Connecticut. Among the African Americans on the SEEK faculty were Jordan, Larry Neal, David Anderson, Barbara Christian, Audre Lorde and Toni Cade Bambara - all but one of whom we have lost.

Michelle Cliff Santa Cruz, Calif.

Letters to the editor may be sent to The Crisis, 7600 Georgia Avenue, NW Suite 405, Washington, D.C. 20012 or thecrsiseditorial@naacpnet.org. Please include your name, address and daytime telephone number in all correspondence. Letters may be edited for length and/or clarity.