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Observations from home: The Mother Emanuel edition

Published by DJB

The horrific murders during the Wednesday evening Bible study of nine members of the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, have rarely left my mind over the past few days. I have talked about it with colleagues who live in the city, prayed for the victims and their families during a conference on the legacy of African-American Rosenwald Schools, read dozens of articles and commentaries, and had long conversations over the family dinner table — all to try to make sense out of the senseless.

To take another step in that process, I’m adding to my “Observations from home” series with this collection of unrelated observations and thoughts which all revolve around the many issues raised by this racist rampage.

Bible Study — Those of us who grew up in the 20th century South in the evangelical tradition understand the nature of a weekday gathering to study scripture. The regulars are the spiritual seekers and mentors who take their faith very seriously. When I heard that the shootings had taken place at the weekday Bible study, I didn’t have to wait for the news reports to tell me that these people would be nurturing, loving leaders who lived out their faith in their daily lives. And the reports soon confirmed that these were nine remarkable people – beginning with the 41-year-old pastor and State Senator but also including a poet, a librarian, a girls’ track coach, the church sexton, and more.

As I write this, the Emanuel AME Church website has not been updated to reflect the carnage that took place in this sacred place last Wednesday at the hands of a 21-year-old white supremacist. So it is especially heart-rendering to read the description of Wednesday evening Bible study found there:

“Is something missing from your life? Are you doing all you can to have a closer relationship with God? If you have a desire to learn more about God, then join us on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. in the lower level of the church. We look forward to seeing you!“

I Forgive You — There will be many responses — and non-responses — to this race-based terrorist attack from those who profess a Christian faith. Many of those responses will be very sincere and meaningful, but others will simply attempt to frame the discussion in a way that upholds their worldview. One of the worst stains among many in the South’s racial history is the church’s role in supporting first slavery and then racial inequality.

I could go on a rant here about how the so-called Christian right (which is neither) espouses beliefs that are the antithesis of the teachings of Jesus. But I couldn’t do a better job of demonstrating Jesus’ true response than the family members of the victims did at the bail hearing. Time and again, they simply said, “I forgive you” to the angry young man who found it was appropriate to kill nine innocent people because he – in his own misguided way and spurred by the hatred so often found in our public discourse – felt his world was threatened.

The New York Times covered this remarkable outpouring by reporting:

“One by one, they looked to the screen in a corner of the courtroom on Friday, into the expressionless face of the young man charged with making them motherless, snuffing out the life of a promising son, taking away a loving wife for good, bringing a grandmother’s life to a horrific end. And they answered him with forgiveness.

‘You took something very precious away from me,’ said Nadine Collier, daughter of 70-year-old Ethel Lance, her voice rising in anguish. ‘I will never talk to her ever again. I will never be able to hold her again. But I forgive you. And have mercy on your soul.’”

But the Times, like almost all of the national media, missed the chance to compare this moving and deep faith-based response with the typical stand of today’s politicians and professional pastors who claim the religious mantle as their own, but quickly call for violence as a response to violence — be it domestic or international. To me, this witness by the family members of the victims was the one ray of hope to come from this inexplicable sadness.

Terrorism — I cannot follow all the arguments about how we do — or don’t — describe this act. But there is no doubt that it fits within a 400+ year history of terrorism against African-Americans in the United States. We are quick to respond to perceived terrorist threats from abroad, but as a country we have turned a blind eye to the terrorism at home. 4,000 lynchings from 1877 to 1950; the KKK’s 1870 burning of nearly every black church in Tuskegee, Alabama; the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham in 1963 that left four little girls dead; the recent wave of killings against unarmed African Americans…all are part and parcel of a racial history in the United States that has seen one group of American citizens live in fear and search — usually in vain — for a safe place. And what should be the safest place of all — a House of God — is often the first target. This most recent example was a hate crime. It was racially motivated. And while it may have been perpetrated by a lone individual acting out his own misguided sense of how his country should respond to change, it was part of a centuries-long terrorist campaign.

Guns, Race, Flags…Oh, the South — William Faulkner’s Absalom, Absalom, includes the famous passage where Quentin Compson’s puzzled Canadian roommate at Harvard says to him:

“’Tell about the South. What it’s like there. What do they do there. Why do they live there. Why do they live at all.’”

This is one of those times when you wonder if those who look at the baggage of the South and suggest that perhaps we would be better off without the region may be right. I know I look at the worst impulses of South today and fear for our country and our souls.

Let’s start with the region’s obsession with guns. We’ll have commentators who will say that easy access to guns doesn’t have a thing to do with our violent history. Or worse, we’ll have a board member of the NRA from Texas blame the church’s pastor for voting against a measure in the South Carolina legislature which would have made it legal to carry concealed guns into churches. Why didn’t I think of that? The world will be much safer and better off if we have armed guards at Bible study!

Then there is race, and the extra toxic mixture of racial inequality and the Confederate flag. One of the most willfully misleading strains of thought I heard came from commentators who said that the killer was focusing on Christians, and not African-Americans. Let’s just get out the blinders. This is a region – as noted in The Bitter Southerner – where people…

“…will argue, in all sincerity, that the Confederacy entered the Civil War only to defend the concept of states’ rights and that secession had nothing to do with the desire to keep slavery alive. We still become a national laughing stock because some small town somewhere has not figured out how to hold a high school prom that includes kids of all races. “

I have heard “heritage not hate” about the Confederate flag for years, often from people who are related to me in one way or the other. These are people who are reading airbrushed Southern history, or have had teachers (sometimes their parents) who simply do not know what they are talking about.

God I want to believe that there are a growing number of people in the South who “do things that honor genuinely honorable traditions” yet view “our region’s contradictions and are determined to throw our dishonorable traditions out the window.” My hope begins with those family members of the victims who said, “I forgive you.” But of course, we need many more people — and especially white Southerners — to take up that mantle.

Is There Hope? — Jon Stewart says no.

“Nine people were shot in a black church by a white guy who hated them, who wanted to start some kind of civil war. The Confederate flag flies over South Carolina, and the roads are named for Confederate generals, and the white guy’s the one who feels like his country is being taken away from him. We’re bringing it on ourselves. And that’s the thing. Al-Qaeda, all those guys, ISIS, they’re not s— compared to the damage that we can apparently do to ourselves on a regular basis.”

The Economist has doubts as well.

“The regularity of mass killings breeds familiarity. The rhythms of grief and outrage that accompany them become—for those not directly affected by tragedy—ritualised and then blend into the background noise. That normalisation makes it ever less likely that America’s political system will groan into action to take steps to reduce their frequency or deadliness. Those who live in America, or visit it, might do best to regard them the way one regards air pollution in China: an endemic local health hazard which, for deep-rooted cultural, social, economic and political reasons, the country is incapable of addressing. This may, however, be a bit unfair. China seems to be making progress on pollution.”

I don’t know how or when we may work through this as a people, but sooner or later we have to own this past. That, it seems to me, is the first step. As an individual I have to find my personal response, even in the face of hopelessness; my own way to play a role in helping throw our dishonorable traditions out the window.

More to come…

DJB

Observations from Home (The June Weekend Edition)

Published by DJB

Omaha Beach, Normandy

I was at Nationals Park on Saturday, enjoying a sunny, summer day; appreciating the Nat’s celebration of the anniversary of D-Day; and joining in the banter of friends – new and long-time – that can only come when you have 3+ hours to sit and chat between pitches. One of those friends opined that a bad day at the ballpark (the Nats lost) is still better than almost any other day. So count that as the first observation in a series of unrelated thoughts in this “June Weekend” edition of Observations From Home. As noted before, you can take them or leave them.

Remembering D-Day – Saturday was June 6th, and a series of WWII veterans – many who saw action at Normandy in June of 1944 – were honored at the ballpark and helped throw out the first pitch. I’ve written about these heroes before – including one who lives next door – but it is becoming very clear that we have only a few more years before this generation passes on to its reward. Every chance we get to celebrate the sacrifice they made, we should take it. It was an honor to stand and cheer for these veterans yesterday.

The Capital Crescent Trail

Take the bike ride – This afternoon, I was weighing a nap versus a bike ride. I took the bike ride – about 90 minutes along the Capital Crescent Trail (our unpaved, non-superhighway side from Silver Spring to Bethesda). It was beautiful, with a gentle breeze and – surprisingly – not too many users on the trail. I love our bike trails – the Capital Crescent and Sligo Creek trails being the two I ride most often. I know what is usually the right choice between a nap and a bike ride. Take the bike ride.

Thank God it is only June – I’ll circle back to the Nationals. After a couple of weeks of lackluster play against the Reds, Blue Jays, and Cubs, we all have to stop and remember that it is only June. (Perhaps some of the Nats should join the “Yoga in the Outfield” promotion that is taking place right about now following yet another Nats loss to the Cubs.) I hope that F.P. (one of the Nats’ television announcers) is right about the team only playing well when the weather warms up. This late-May, early-June coolness certainly cooled off the bats. As part of the banter among our section at the park yesterday, my friend Dolores – who is part of my season ticket group and who I’ll join for 2 or 3 games each year – was talking about Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper. She made the comment that she has “had it” with Strasburg and all his injuries and issues, and noted that “One is headstrong and the other’s a head case.” The headstrong one was fine by her (and me). I’m not ready to write Strasburg off, but it is tough…as Tom Boswell recently noted:

When I watch Strasburg pitch on his funk days, a dark cloud passes across my mind. I feel the same mean desire to say, “Million-dollar arm, ten-cent head” that swept over me when I watched the early years of other young underachievers: Nolan Ryan, Bert Blyleven and Randy Johnson. In moments of lucidity, I would realize that their “makeup” — in different ways — was blocking peak performance. Plenty of their early managers and teammates saw them as “head cases,” too. All got ripped for years. None were cut slack. (Now they’re all in the Hall of Fame.)

Okay, time to come back to the ballpark and do it again. It is a long season.

Did the American Civil War Ever End? – One of the best sustained remembrances of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War has been the “Disunion” series in the New York Times. I hadn’t focused on the fact that the editor – Ted Widmer – was the assistant to the President of Brown University, or I might have looked him up when we were there for Andrew’s graduation a couple of weeks ago.

In any event, Widmer wrote a piece last week for the series that asked the question, “Did the American Civil War Ever End?” It is well worth a read. Here’s a sample, where Widmer speaks about the impact of a huge number of veterans and the unintended consequences of the huge number of guns:

Many veterans retained their sidearms, including Confederate officers, and weapons were easily available, thanks to an arms industry that had done great service to the Union cause. They could hardly be expected to voluntarily go out of business. With new products (like Winchester’s Model 1866 rifle), sophisticated distribution networks and a public eager to buy, the industry entered a highly profitable phase. Winchester’s repeating rifles needed hardly any time for reloading, and sold briskly in Europe, where American arms tipped the balance in local conflicts.

The Winchester was easily transported to the West, where new military campaigns were undertaken against Native Americans, and few could be blamed for wondering if the Civil War had in fact ended. Many of the same actors were present, and it could be argued that this was simply another phase of the crisis of Union, reconciling East and West, rather than North and South.

This tragic epilogue does not fit cleanly into the familiar narrative of the Civil War as a war of liberation. Peoples who had lived on ancestral lands for thousands of years were no match for a grimly experienced army, eager to occupy new lands, in part to reward the soldiers who had done the fighting.

Natives called the repeating rifles “spirit guns,” and had no answer for them. They fought courageously, but in the end had no choice but to accept relocation, often to reservations hundreds of miles away. Adolf Hitler would cite these removals as a precedent for the Nazi concentration camps.

Take the time to read this piece. It will make you think.

More to come…

DJB

Happy graduation day, Andrew

Published by DJB

Andrew has been singing professionally since he was 8 years old. So fourteen years later, it comes as no surprise that as we celebrate his graduation from Brown University, the weekend has been filled with his music.

Andrew has been singing since his days as a National Cathedral Chorister, so it was no surprise that graduation weekend was filled with his music.

(Editor’s Note: This is the second of two posts about the commencement weekends as the twins graduated from college. I treat my blog like the 21st century version of letter writing, in that I can write one item and it can go out to family and friends everywhere. These blog posts are all about family. If you don’t want to read about how wonderful my children are – then stop reading. Note…you’ve been warned!)

Candice, Claire, and I arrived home on Tuesday from Claire’s graduation just in time to fall into bed, get up the next morning to run errands and wash clothes, and then pile into the car on Thursday to drive to Providence to be with Andrew. As one friend said, “You all must be approaching exhaustion, but what a lovely way to get there . . .”

Lovely, indeed.

We connected with Andrew on Friday and began the necessary task of packing the dorm room. Andrew benefited by being the second twin in this regard. We came prepared with boxes, supplies, and a plan! Two hours later we were well past the halfway point and walked down to celebrate over a lunch of Greek delicacies at Andreas – one of Andrew’s favorites along the commercial core – Thayer Street – that cuts through the college campus.

The first of four musical treats came later in the day, as the Brown University Madrigal Singers held their Commencement 2015 Concert in the beautiful St. Stephens Episcopal Church, located in the heart of the college campus in Providence.

Alex and Andrew — Alex Warstadt and Andrew, the two graduating singers from the Madrigals

Andrew was one of two graduating seniors in the Madrigals, and he also served as the music director for the year. (Alex Warstadt, the other graduating senior, had that role his junior year.) The group performed a wonderful 60-minute concert, beginning with the beautiful Ubi Caritas by Maurice Duruflé.

The selections were varied, with several holding personal meaning for three of the singers. Alex introduced a Kyrie that he had composed for a contrapuntal composition class. Sami Overby noted that two of the songs – from Ogden Nash’s Four Animal Poems – had been set to music by his great-uncle, Rolf Overby, while at St. Olaf’s College. The Termite – with a “knock, knock” going on behind the main lyrics – was a crowd favorite:

“Some primal termite knocked on wood
And tasted it, and found it good!
And that is why your Cousin May
Fell through the parlor floor today.“

Then Andrew floored me with the introduction to Orlando Gibbons‘ Magnificat (Short Service). He said it was important to him to have this piece included in the concert because he had heard it as a young boy on a recording of his father’s early music group Canticum Novum*, and always loved its simple beauty. He noted that I was in the audience that evening, and then the Madrigals sang this wonderful composition – bringing memories from my heart and tears to my eyes.

(*Note: If you go to the link above, check out Lesson #37)

After a delightful Now is the Month of Maying, and a tune performed for the seniors, Andrew announced that the traditional ending for a Brown University Madrigals Concert was John Clements’ Flower of Beauty, and he invited the alumni from the group to join them.

The Madrigal Singers and their Alumni sing “Flower of Beauty”

It was a wonderful evening, and we were delighted that another Brown alumni – our dear friend Kristin Faust who, with her daughter Sojourner, moved from Silver Spring to Chicago last spring – was there to share it with us. Andrew and Claire then left to go to the “The Campus Dance” (along with 11,000 of their closest friends) for a night of fun and fireworks, while Candice and I had a wonderful meal at one of our favorite Providence restaurants, Gracie’s.

Saturday dawned bright, clear, and cool in Providence, and we were up not too much after dawn! Andrew was one of two soloists for the morning’s All-class Memorial Service, a very moving remembrance, led by The Reverend Janet Cooper Nelson, Chaplain of the University. Our good friends from Silver Spring – Dolores McDonagh and Jamie Karn – joined us, as they were in town for Dolores’ 35th reunion at Brown. (Andrew has now figured out that he’ll see Kristin and Dolores at each of his major reunions in the future. Both have been very supportive of Andrew. Kristin, who heads up Neighborhood Housing Services in Chicago – has bonded with Andrew over his Urban Studies work, while Dolores – a fellow a capella aficionado – has encouraged him in his singing.)

Andrew sings at the All Class Memorial Service, with University Organist Mark Steinbach on the piano

In the early afternoon, it was time for the Baccalaureate Service, held at the historic First Baptist Church in America. Besides the music and Urban Studies communities, Andrew has many friends through his membership in the Alpha Delta Phi Society at Brown, and we were thrilled to see the seniors from Alpha Delta Phi processing down the hill together. This is a remarkable group of young men and women – as their website describes them, “a cozy, co-ed community of musicians, scientists, and philosophers.” Andrew has lived in the Alpha Delta Phi house on campus for three years, and we’ve enjoyed getting to know these remarkable individuals and their parents. (Plus, we always enjoy the Friday afternoon tea held during Parents’ Weekend!)

A D Phi Seniors — Andrew and his fellow seniors from the Alpha Delta Phi Society in the procession to Saturday’s Baccalaureate Service

During the service, which we watched on the big screen in Sayles Hall on the College Green, Andrew joined the chorus in singing Randall Thompson’s Alleluia.

Andrew (far left in the rear) as part of the chorus singing Randall Thompson’s “Alleluia” at Saturday’s Baccalaureate Service

Following the service, we hustled down to the Grant Recital Hall for the 34th annual senior recital – The Carl and Dorothy O. Jagolinzer Memorial Commencement Concert. The Jagolinzer family – who sponsor the recital in honor of their parents – joined friends and family to hear two hours of wonderful music from music concentrators and others – like Andrew – who have studied extensively in the music department at Brown.

Andrew sings Mozart — Andrew and pianist Simon Goldring, following their performance of Mozart at the Jagolinzer Memorial Concert

Accompanied by Simon Goldring – a very talented musician from Hingham, Norfolk, England – Andrew sang Mozart’s Del più sublime soglio, closing out his singing career at Brown with a wonderful performance. Afterwards, the family had a chance to meet Arlene Cole, whose Advanced Musicianship class ranks as Andrew’s most favorite and challenging class in the music department. He has loved his connections with Fred Jodry, Brad Fugate, and all his music professors at Brown.

Andrew with Arlene Cole — Andrew with his Advanced Music professor, Arlene Cole

I have to admit that when we woke up on Sunday morning for graduation day, I still didn’t understand how this “processional” from the College Green, through the Van Wickle Gates (where they processed in as freshmen), and down the hill to The First Baptist Church in America was going to work…and hold my attention for two hours. As we hiked up College Hill early in the morning, the stripe (in Brown’s school colors) and the barriers gave a hint that something big was in the works.

Processional Route — The Brown colors in the center stripe designate the processional route

But Andrew (and our Brown friends) kept insisting that the processional was the heart and soul of the Brown commencement, and that we really wanted to experience it on-site, as opposed to watching on the big screens at the College Green. Andrew suggested we join the Alpha Delta Phi Society cheering section outside the Gerard House (an earlier house of Alpha Delta Phi, before they moved on campus) to get the full flavor. Oh my!

AD Phi Cheering Section — We joined the Alpha Delta Phi cheering section along the processional route

What came next was the most remarkable two hours of commencement I’ve ever seen – without any official speakers or conferring of degrees. Brown has a tremendous reunion culture, in part because the alumni get to participate in – and relive – the processional each year. The procession comes through the Van Wickle gates, led by the oldest reunion classes (75th, in this year’s case…remember, that’s a 97-year old individual!). The reunion classes then line the streets, creating a tunnel of humanity that is clapping, cheering, and generally having a wonderful time for two full hours. The classes are easy to spot – not only by the age of the graduates, but by the signs they make to tell the class of 2015 what Brown was like “back in the day.”

Reunion signs — You can tell the reunion groups by their signs along the procession

Once all the reunion classes are in place, then the students from the class of 2015 begin their walk down College Hill, and the cheering is incredible. Everyone is in a very festive mood.

Procession — Andrew processes through the ranks of reunion groups and faculty on graduation day

When Andrew and his fellow seniors from Alpha Delta Phi came by our vantage point, the “cheering section” began to sing one of the society’s songs – with the soon-to-be-graduates joining in. Claire was my “spotter” in finding Andrew – and other friends – in the crowd, while she and Candice also took pictures and videos on their iPhones. At the bottom of the hill, the class of 2015 lines up along the sides of the road and then the alumni reunion groups process through them – to raucous cheering and singing. This goes on for almost two hours. On a picture-perfect weather day, it was magical.

Andrew waves from the procession — The happy graduate!

After a brief ceremony on the lawn of The First Baptist Church in America, the class walks back up College Hill for ceremonies on the Green. As was the case last week, the two student speakers were outstanding, and the actual ceremony was relatively short. Because of the size of the graduating class, diplomas are given out by departments. The Urban Studies distribution ceremony and reception was held at the Brown Faculty Club, a fitting historic building for a program focused on the design and function of urban areas.

Andrew is recognized during the Urban Studies reception at the Faculty Club

Program Director Dietrich Neumann is one of Andrew’s favorite professors – especially following a six-week class on Modern Architecture and Urbanism that he took in Spain the summer after his sophomore year. Professor Neumann (an expert on Mies van der Rohe – and yes, we did talk about flood mitigation at the Farnsworth House!) was the MC for the event, which recognized outstanding work by urban studies students. The 14 concentrators received their diplomas, and then all the parents and family toasted the new graduates.

Receiving his diploma — Andrew receives his diploma at the Urban Studies reception from professors Stefano Bloch and Dietrich Neumann, along with Brown Corporation Trustee Emeritus James Winoker

Photo by Claire — Claire’s champagne salute “to her favorite urban studies graduate”

Following the ceremony at the Faculty Club, we joined the other graduates and their families, plus the members of the faculty and staff of the Urban Studies program, for a lively reception full of hugs, pictures, and stories.

The Happy Family celebrates Andrew — Candice, DJB, and Claire with the happy graduate, at the Brown Faculty Club

Andrew with Jenna Klorfein, DUG Co-Leaders for the Urban Studies Program

Andrew and Dietrich — Andrew with Professor Dietrich Neumann, Director of the Urban Studies Program at Brown University

We ended Sunday night at another of our favorite Providence restaurants, The Salted Slate. The room was packed with celebratory families and friends – including a couple of Andrew’s friends – and we toasted the newly minted Brown University graduate.

Brown Celebration at the Salted Slate — Celebrating Andrew’s graduation at The Salted Slate, one of our favorite Providence restaurants

Monday we arose for breakfast at Blue State Coffee (which, along with Ellie’s, ranks at the top of my list of bakeries and coffee houses), before completing the packing of Andrew’s dorm room. We then met up with our friends Kristen and Sojourner for a delightful lunch along Thayer Street. Because Providence is such a wonderful food town, we’re heading out again on Monday night for dinner at The Grange, a highly recommended Vegetable Restaurant, to close out our celebration of Andrew’s wonderful accomplishments.

The members of Alpha Delta Phi gave Andrew and the other seniors a remembrance of the years at Brown University. For Andrew’s, each member wrote something to describe him or to say what he meant to them. Over and over I read words such as kind, caring, passionate, talented, intelligent, and more. Several mentioned about how he was always there for them. I smiled, thinking of how these “musicians, scientists, and philosophers” had seen the same talented, sensitive and caring young man that we so love.

Congratulations, Andrew! What a wonderful accomplishment. Mom and I are so proud of you and we can’t wait to see what the next chapter brings!

With love and more to come…

Dad

Image: Andrew at Brown University’s Van Wickle Gates — part of the rite of passage of the Class of 2015

Happy graduation day, Claire

Published by DJB

Twenty-two years ago, I never dreamed this day would come.

Claire at Easter 1994 — Our Claire…always the student

Not that Claire wasn’t always eager to learn. But when your hands are full with new twins, two decades seems like such a long time in the future.

But the years have flown by and this weekend finds us in Southern California for Claire’s graduation from Pomona College. Wasn’t it just yesterday that we were all flying here to leave our daughter on the west coast, at a school she obviously loved but that seemed so far away from home?

Pomona was recommended to Claire by Leonard King, her insightful and supportive high school teacher and college counselor at Maret, who had an amazing record of linking students with just the right college that offered the most chance for personal and intellectual growth. Claire and I first saw Pomona together on a spring break trip. When she decided to apply early decision and Candice was concerned about having her so far from home, I did what any take-charge father would do: I said to Candice, “You take her for a visit and then you tell her she can’t go!” (Clever, huh?) Candice – just like Claire and me – fell in love with the beautiful campus, the intellectual pursuits of the faculty and students, and the feeling of support and understanding that permeates the college.

Claire’s senior year began last August, after our memorable cross-country road trip, which could stand as a metaphor for the year ahead. Nine months later, here we are, celebrating the end of one journey and the beginning of another. Andrew – flying in from Boston – joined us on Thursday night (actually Friday morning, as his plane was late) so the three of us could be in attendance to celebrate our Claire. We began the packing of the dorm room on Friday morning, to get a jump on the work that no one really wants to undertake.

Claire with Jason Harris at Friday’s taco dinner

Claire has met the most amazing and thoughtful group of friends while at Pomona, and their generosity of spirit came through on Friday night. Claire and her suitemates joined two other suites to host a taco dinner for their families, as a way of saying “thank you.” While the (welcomed in drought-striken Southern California) rain drove the party indoors, it was a great time to reconnect with families and friends we’ve come to know over these four years – some from as close as Georgetown and others from throughout the world. That generosity continued on Saturday morning when one of Claire’s swim teammates – Hannah – and her family included us in their rooftop brunch to kick off the day of celebration.

It didn’t take us long to realize that we were going to eat our way through the graduation weekend. From the rooftop garden of Sontag Hall, we walked over to Lincoln Hall – and the amazing James Turrell Skyspace installation – for a luncheon with the Psychology majors and faculty.

Psychology Faculty Lunch — Claire with Shlomi Sher (L) and Sharon Goto (R), members of the Psychology Faculty, at Saturday’s lunch

Claire has loved her work in psychology with these amazing professors, and is excited to have a position in Los Angeles beginning in August with the Episcopal Urban Internship Program that will let her build on her study in real world applications.

One of the traditions at Pomona is that the incoming freshman class walks through the gates to the college, and the graduating seniors walk back out through those gates during graduation weekend. Led by a bagpiper, the class of 2015 celebrated as they walked through those gates and off to Class Day and dinner. We closed out the evening with a Glee Club concert in Little Bridges Music Hall that was wonderful. Andrew – our professional – was singing their praises through the rest of the weekend.

Marching through Pomona's gates — Claire – and the class of 2015 – march through the gates of Pomona and out into the world

Sunday morning finally arrived, and – having scoped out the scene the day before – we arrived early to sit where we could see Claire in the procession and have a great view of the stage. Held on Marston Quadrangle in the middle of campus, graduation takes place beneath a shade canopy. Here’s an excerpt from the description in the program:

“The shade canopy above the graduates is the work of Los Angeles artists Jenna Didier and Oliver Hess and architectural designer Emily White. It was first installed for the Pomona 2009 College Commencement, with faculty, students, and staff helping to attach the streamers to the net. The shade structure is based on “Voronoi tessellaions,” algorithms of weaving and lace-making, coordinated with a solar incidence angle study that determines an optimum density pattern, allowing for shade where most needed, and keeping the canopy as lightweight and transparent as possible. The net’s lattice follows a pattern…derived from string figures, known as ‘clown’s collar.'”

Another Pomona tradition is the wearing of leis by many of the graduates. We had ordered two – one from our family and one from Claire’s Grandmother Colando – and Andrew and I met Claire on Sunday morning to help her prepare for the processional. While there, swim team coach Jean-Paul Gowdy – known to all as J.P. and a true mentor for Claire in her four years on the team – stopped by for a hug and congratulations.

Graduation Lei — Andrew helps Claire with her graduation lei

Claire with Coach JP — Swim Coach JP Gowdy stops by to add his congratulations

Preparing to process — Andrew and DJB with Claire, as she prepares to process into graduation

Then we took our seats and it was time for the processional.

Claire has had multiple communities at Pomona – all of which have nurtured and helped her grow while she has contributed to their health and vitality. The swim team is one of the most important, and they were there throughout commencement. J.P. looked cool in his shades, while the team cheered loudly – and waved “Big Heads” – anytime a swim team senior received a diploma.

Swim Coach — Coach JP – the coolest faculty member in the procession

Swim team cheering section – with Jackie and Claire looking over the proceedings

This was one of those ceremonies where the student speakers gave the featured commencement speaker a run for her money…they were that good. Of the four honorary degrees, we all agreed that the remarks by Michael Dickerson (’01), were not only the most humorous, but also the most insightful. Dickerson – the administrator of the newly created U.S. Digital Service in the White House – spoke about how his work at Google, with the Obama campaign, and as one of the chief “fixers” of HealthCare.gov was not part of any great plan. In fact, he said he “Wasn’t speaking to all those folks at the top of the program who were graduating with various honors and probably had their lives figured out, but to everyone else who didn’t have a clue as to what they would be doing tomorrow.” That spoke to not only a great many graduates, but also their families.

The Browns were also pleased to see that another of the honorary degrees went to Andrew Lewison Hoyem (’57), the founder of the Arion Press. When he was being introduced as someone who had been recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Claire turned to her seatmate and said, “That’s where my dad works!”

Two hours into the ceremony, the college began handing out the degrees. And it was a wonderful celebration!

Marching across the stage — Claire receives her degree from Pomona President David Oxtoby

We cheered for Claire and her friends (both old and new), cried a bit (well, at least I did), and joined the new graduates on the quad for photos, photos, and more photos. (Yes, I was the official photographer of Claire Brown’s graduation.)

Candice and Claire — Candice celebrates with the new graduate

The Browns at Pomona — Candice, DJB, and Andrew with the graduate – the Happy Family

One of the first group of students Claire met her freshman year was the sponsor group from her dorm. These graduating seniors met on the steps of Little Bridges after the ceremony one last time for a photo and hugs. Of course the swim team seniors also gathered, with a large group of supporters there to cheer them on.

2015 Pomona-Pitzer Swim Team Seniors following graduation

There are a number of Washington-area students at Pomona and the Claremont Colleges. One who Claire didn’t know until she arrived at Pomona is now her dear friend Ella Taranto. Of course, Andrew used to sing with Ella’s older sister at the National Cathedral, and the Taranto’s have multiple connections to friends of ours in the DC-area. And – no surprise here – both will be in Southern California come this fall.

Claire with Ella — Claire and Ella – they lived several miles from each other and went to high schools that were less than two miles apart, but had to travel across the country to find each other and establish a wonderful friendship

Claire’s suitemates her Sophomore and Senior years have all become very special friends. Two – Jackie and Ali – were in her suite both years and are fellow swim team members. Kyra was in the sophomore group, and Susan joined the crew their senior year. These are all incredibly talented and wonderful young ladies, and our entire family’s life has been enriched by knowing them.

Claire with Susan — Claire with her suitemate Susan

Claire with Jackie — Claire with her suitemate Jackie

Claire with Ali — Claire with her suitemate Ali

Sophomore and Senior Suitemates — Claire’s suitemates from her Sophomore and Senior Years – Susan (Sr), Ali (So/Sr), Jackie (So/Sr), and Kyra (So)

And the parents of these wonderful young ladies have also become friends, so we gathered for pictures – and a celebratory high-five.

Senior Parents — Vickie, Bruce, Candice, David, John, and Margaret – Parents from the Senior Suite

Parents celebrate — The parents celebrate graduation!

Sunday’s celebration ended at Union on Yale, Claire’s favorite Claremont restaurant (since Claremont Craft Ales doesn’t technically count as a restautant!). We toasted the graduate, enjoyed oysters and other good food, and reflected on the past four wonderful years at Pomona College.

Andrew may have said it best on his Facebook post as he jumped on the red-eye back to Boston to begin his Senior Week celebrations.

“Today, I saw my twin sister and best friend graduate from Pomona College after four years of hard work, joys, challenges, and triumphs. I can’t even begin to describe how proud I am to call you my sister. Congratulations, Claire! I love you.“

I can’t even begin to describe how proud Mom and I are to call you our daughter. Congratulations, and all our love.

More to come…

DJB

Image: Our Pomona Class of 2015 Graduate

Remembering Oklahoma City

Published by DJB

Oklahoma City National Memorial

Twenty years ago today, an unspeakable horror took place at the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.

Five years ago, I visited the Oklahoma City National Memorial, erected to memorialize the lives lost, and wrote this post about that place and the need for remembrance.

In his recent series about Why Old Places Matter?, my colleague Tom Mayes wrote about the importance of memory. He quotes Randall Mason in noting that “Memory is an essential part of consciousness….” Tom adds, “Memory contributes to the sense of continuity. Memory also gives people identity—both individual identity and a collective identity.”

No place demonstrates that better than the Oklahoma City National Memorial. At the 20th anniversary of the events of April 19, 1995, this memorial continues to help us to remember, while also helping us to regain the consciousness we need as humans.

More to come…

DJB

Religious Freedom 101: A Lesson from Old Places

Published by DJB

A reminder from The First Baptist Church, Providence, RI

We are hearing a great deal these days about religious freedom. Much of it comes from individuals who appear – from their comments – to know little of our country’s history. For the past three days, I’ve been immersed in a state where all Americans would be well advised to come for a class on Religious Freedom 101.

One of the truly misunderstood stories in American history is that of Rhode Island and the establishment of religious freedom. My father – that lonely breed of Southern Christian liberal – has spent the past decade or more writing letters to the editor that remind his fellow church-goers of the importance of the separation of church and state. For my part, I’ve been in Providence and Newport this week, and took the time to visit two of the landmarks of the nation’s move to ensure that all had religious freedom, including the right not to worship.

Friday, I was in Newport for a series of meetings that began at Touro Synagogue, a National Historic Landmark and an affiliate site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Standing as a landmark to religious freedom for all Americans, Touro Synagogue, dedicated in 1763, is the oldest synagogue building in the United States. As described on the National Trust website:

A structure of exquisite beauty and design, steeped in history and ideals, the synagogue is considered one of the ten most architecturally distinguished buildings of 18th century America and the most historically significant Jewish building in the United States.

The congregation was founded in 1658 by the descendants of Jewish families who had fled the Inquisitions in Spain and Portugal and who themselves left the Caribbean seeking the greater religious tolerance that Rhode Island offered.

Touro Synagogue, Newport, RI (Photo: National Trust for Historic Preservation)

By the time those families came to Rhode Island, the “lively experiment” that was Rhode Island was already underway. An exhibit in the Ambassador John L. Loeb, Jr. Visitor’s Center (and captured on the website) explains it best:

Rhode Island’s experience was a catalyst to the development of these values (that the acceptance of the separation of church and state was a uniquely American value). Under the terms of its founding Charter, Rhode Island stood alone among the colonies in its desire to “hold forth a lively experiment, that a most flourishing civil State may stand and best be maintained, with a full liberty of religious concernments.”

Roger Williams and his followers were convinced that religion was a matter of conscience between an individual and his God, not the government. The founding documents for Providence, Rhode Island indicate a clear division between the public, civil realm and the private world of belief:

We, whose names are here under, desirous to inhabit in the town of Providence, do promise to subject ourselves, in active or passive obedience, to all such orders or agreements as shall be made for public good of the body in an orderly way, by the major assent of the present inhabitants, masters of families, incorporated together into a town-fellowship, and such others whom they shall admit unto them, only in civil things.

“Only in civil things.” This phrase, assumed to be from the pen of Roger Williams himself, establishes the principal of religious liberty that was to become the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. In the Rhode Island Colony, only matters of civil interest were to be considered by the town-fellowship. Matters of theology, doctrine, and religious practice were to be considered apart from the realm of civic discourse and within the confines of the individual consciousness or “soul-thought.”

The Charter of the Rhode Island Colony, negotiated in 1663 by Newport founder John Clark on behalf of the Rhode Island colonists from King Charles II of England, clearly demonstrates that religious freedom was the prime reason for the colony’s existence. Rhode Island’s Charter, which served as state constitution until 1842, includes this unique provision:

No person within the said Colony, at any time hereafter, shall be any wise molested, punished, disquieted, or called in question, for any differences in opinion, in matters of religion, who does not actually disturb the peace of our said Colony ; but that all and every person and persons may, from time to time, and at all times hereafter, freely and fully have and enjoy his own and their judgments and consciences, in matters of religious concernments, throughout the tract of land heretofore mentioned, they behaving themselves peaceably and quietly and not using this liberty to licentiousness and profaneness, nor to the civil injury or outward disturbance of others.

Touro’s unique place in American history came about in 1790, when in response to a letter from the congregation, President George Washington eloquently defined the new nation’s standard for religious freedom and civil liberties. He declared that America would…“give to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.”

Providence – where I spent the rest of the trip – is a city that celebrates its religious history. Few communities carry off having a “Steeple Street” with the history that Providence does. (It is even obvious in the city’s name!)

Steeple Street, Providence

The most important of those houses of worship, from a historical standpoint, is The First Baptist Church, Providence.

The First Baptist Church, Providence, RI

Note that I didn’t write “the First Baptist Church in Providence.” No, this is THE FIRST Baptist Church IN AMERICA.

Historical Marker on The First Baptist Church, Providence,

Coupled with the Roger Williams National Memorial, managed by the National Park Service, The First Baptist Church tells an important story that is as fresh as today’s headlines. I’ve given a couple of speeches recently that focus on the relevance of historic places today. Here’s what I said in the most recent one:

When we change our focus (in preservation, from buildings) to people, we become serious about relevance. In many of the places we save, and in the way we approach their conservation, we often talk about the “period of significance.” But at the National Trust we are turning that on its head, and asking, “What if the period of significance is now?”

At President Lincoln’s Cottage, where Abraham Lincoln conceived the Emancipation Proclamation, understanding that “the period of significance is now” leads us to use of the site as the springboard for exhibits, lectures, and projects that address human trafficking in the 21st century. Slavery, unfortunately, didn’t end in 1865.

Old places can be eloquent in helping us think about how the lessons of the past inform us about today’s issues…whether those issues be human trafficking (Lincoln’s Cottage), immigration (The Lower East Side Tenement Museum), labor relations and income inequality (Pullman), or religious liberty (Touro Synagogue and The First Baptist Church).

Visit a historic site, and connect the past with today’s big issues.

More to come…

DJB

Baseball vs. Golf. No contest.

Published by DJB

Spring is a weird time for sports.

First, there are lots of changing seasons. Playoffs are just starting in hockey and basketball. (Do you know that WWII wasn’t as long as the NBA playoffs?) Baseball is in its first week. Golf begins to come back onto the radar screen. And those folks who think football is the only game get all excited about…the draft. (Please. Get a life, people.)

This afternoon, I watched about all the golf I will take in on television over the course of the year – the last nine holes of the Masters. It takes me about an hour of CBS coverage of the Masters to remind myself why I think golf is so damn pretentious and full of itself. The hushed tones, the endless references to history, the endless paeans to Phil (I make millions of dollars, but I still complain about having to pay taxes) Mickelson. (The guy actually wears logos of a bank and an auditing firm. That should tell you something about this “game.”) Give me a break.

After the impressive win by Jordan Spieth at the Masters, I quickly switched over to ESPN’s Baseball Tonight. In spite of the 455th installment of Yankees vs. Red Sox on the world-wide leader in sports, it was quickly apparent why baseball vs. golf = no contest. You have real characters in baseball, even among the announcers. (Love Kruk’s sling…I feel like a kindred spirit. Kruk once said, “I’m not an athlete, I’m a baseball player.” Priceless.) Big Papi and kids – these guys are having fun. The Nats win their second of the year, with Zim flashing some leather, despite having a team batting average well below the Mendoza Line. The Royals are mad because despite being in the World Series last year, many folks have said they won’t make the playoffs. Plus, a fun report on a Red Sox bar in the heart of New York City. You don’t get this stuff in golf.

So bring it on. Even if we do have the Yankees and Red Sox again tonight, golf doesn’t stand a chance.

More to come…

DJB

Tut Taylor, R.I.P.

Published by DJB

This week we lost the third member of the Aereoplane Band when “The Flatpickin’ Dobro Man” Tut Taylor passed away at age 91.

Taylor, along with the late Vassar Clements, Norman Blake, and Randy Scruggs made up the Aereoplane Band that helped the late John Hartford record his ground-breaking album Aereo-Plain – which I once highlighted as my favorite album of all time. (And yes, the name of the album is spelled differently from the title cut. Hey, it was the 70s.) I heard Tut play with Hartford’s band (Earl Scruggs opened for Hartford, if you can believe that) about 40 years ago, and I most recently heard him at MerleFest, where he was a mainstay.

Much has been written about Taylor’s unique style of playing the Dobro with a flatpick, as opposed to the finger picks used by every well-known Dobro player from Uncle Josh Graves to Jerry Douglas. Tut Taylor was unique, and his bluesy style fit well with the fiddling of Vassar Clements and the stellar guitar work of Norman Blake. This group has been rightly credited with starting the “newgrass” movement in Nashville, and has also been compared to a jazz quartet because of the interplay between the musicians. They were also the strangest looking group of musicians you were likely to see in the 1970s. Tut and Vassar looked like the country boys they were, while Hartford and Blake were wearing long hair before long hair was fashionable in Nashville.

Aereo-Plain back cover — Norman Blake, Vassar Clements, John Hartford, and Tut Taylor

As I wrote on my earlier post, for so many people who played acoustic music, Aereo-Plain gave them permission to try new things. Sam Bush has described it as a seminal recording for the newgrass movement. Hartford simply showed how to mix a hip, youthful sensitivity with a love for bluegrass music. Tut Taylor was an unlikely accomplice in that work.

Taylor did more than just play on two of country music’s most influential albums of the 20th century. He founded GTR Guitars, which is now known as Gruhn Guitars, and he also opened the Old Time Pickin’ Parlor on Second Avenue in Nashville, where I spent many a night in my college years.

But Tut will be most remembered for his help in changing the musical landscape. Take a listen to Vamp in the Middle from Aereo-Plain. At about the 30 second mark, Taylor starts adding in some delicious little fills that propel this tune forward. Great stuff.

Rest in Peace, Tut Taylor. You will be missed.

More to come…

DJB

Good-bye Basketball, Hello Baseball

Published by DJB

It is a good thing I don’t bet on sports.

Last weekend, as college basketball teams were playing to reach the Final Four, I found myself in a strange position: leading my office “friendly” pool after three of the four teams had been decided. I had Kentucky and Wisconsin. I even picked Michigan State to make it. I never win March Madness pools or similar challenges, I don’t play fantasy anything, and I don’t bet. (Andrew’s godfather – John Lane – says it best: “I have the same chance of winning the lottery whether I buy a ticket or not!)

But here I was, getting giddy at the prospect of leading our pool going into the final four games.

And then my head lost out to my heart.

I so wanted Gonzaga to get into the final weekend. I so did not want to see another Duke team in the Final Four – even if I thought they had the best chance to beat hated Kentucky. So I went with my heart…and got bumped from the top perch.

However, I was still close…until the first game of the semi-finals, when I still could have come out okay with a Michigan State win. The Spartans, however, were thoroughly thrashed by Duke. Another “heart” beaten by “head” game. But the heart had one more chance.

And the heart WON! My main desire of this March Madness tournament was to see Kentucky lose. I hate the one-and-done culture. And don’t get me started about John (“I didn’t know anything about those violations”) Calipari. I had picked Wisconsin to make the final, and with a glorious and fierce last 7 minutes, the Badgers pulled it out in a classic.

So, I have one more chance, although our current office pool leader (who happens to do all my finance work) also has Wisconsin to win it all, so I don’t have a chance to come out on top. That’s okay. If I won, I might be tempted to actually throw some money into a pool the next time around, and you know, I have the same chance of winning…

In any event, good-bye basketball. (I don’t watch the NBA. Any sport that allows a team to take a time-out and advance the ball to the front court has decided that rules don’t matter. That would be like allowing a football team to move the ball past the 50-yard line whenever they wanted to in the last two minutes of the game.)

Hello baseball!!

Opening day is tomorrow. Nats vs. Mets at Nationals Park. Max Scherzer on the mound. (Unfortunately, I will be on the road traveling, but I’ll try to catch a bit of the game.)

And to whet your appetite, check out this cool article in today’s New York Times about how long it will take to break various records in baseball. The numbers suggest the single-season home run record could be broken again in as little as 49 years. Batting average? We’ll all have to wait 250+ years for that to happen!

All in all a great read about some wonderful baseball history.

Play ball!

More to come…

DJB

Basketball Couch Potato

Published by DJB

Bulleit bourbon (photo credit: The Adventures of Sarah & Derrick)

(Photo Credit: The Adventures of Sarah and Derrick)

There are few advantages to having a cracked bone in your shoulder…but there is at least one: I can be a total couch potato during the weekend of the college basketball tournament championships.

Yes, I know that college basketball has lost its soul. Yes, I despise the one-and-done culture that Kentucky has mastered so well, and for that I “hate” John Calapari almost as much as I hate Christian Laettner. (I don’t really hate either one, but you have to admit it is a great film title to kick off this season’s 30 for 30 on ESPN.)

But given all of that, I still enjoy the game. Especially this weekend and next weekend, before the elite big boys take over. On these two weekends, you can see teams that no one expects to go anywhere, suddenly get hot and destroy the best laid plans of the big boys. You can see Albany hit its only three-pointer of the game to beat Stony Brook for a one-point win, in today’s first game. My alma mater, Middle Tennessee, will play University Alabama-Birmingham later today. No college elites there.

And even elite teams can be underdogs on this weekend. UNC’s win over Virginia last evening – like Notre Dame’s over Duke – were both exciting games where the “underdog” won.

There are all sorts of key questions to be decided over this weekend. Can Harvard beat Yale in a game that never should have happened, except that Yale blew its chance to get in the Big Dance last weekend? Which part of the Atlantic coastline does Notre Dame’s home state of Indiana touch? Since when is Xavier and Cincinnati, Ohio located in the east? What will be Dick Vitale’s biggest outrage at the end of Selection Sunday? How many times will Clark Kellogg call someone “The Big Fella?” Will we spend more time debating the number one seedings than we do as a country in debating to go to war? (Okay, maybe that last one isn’t really fun.)

Next up, the SEC. Only question here is can any team in the conference get within 20 points of Kentucky by the end of the game. (Answer: N0.) I’ll probably drop Kentucky vs. Auburn to switch over and watch a bit of the MEAC Championship between Hampton and Delaware State. I’d also check out the Atlantic 10 championship between VCU and Davidson…if I had a television package that carried it. And since Purdue is now giving Wisconsin a run for its money, I’ll pay attention to the Big Ten semifinal. (Motto for the 14-team conference: “Don’t confuse us with institutions of higher learning that teach math.”) I’ll go in and out of a number of games all the way through the UNC vs. Notre Dame ACC final that no one saw coming.

So bring it on…and maybe after five tonight I’ll have a little libation to go along with my wayward ways.

Oh, and by the way. John Feinstein has the best idea of how to get rid of the one-and-done: use the baseball model.

The baseball rule: Any player graduating from high school is eligible for the draft. Once he finds out where he’s drafted and what kind of money he can make to turn pro, he then decides whether to turn pro or go to college. None of this blind guessing. One of the reasons so many underclassmen put their names into the basketball draft each year is because they have agents telling them, “Don’t listen to your coach, don’t listen to any committee, I know general managers and you’ll go in the lottery. Or in the first round.”

Are they often lying? Of course they are. They can’t make any money off players who are still in college.

Remember, everyone selected in the first round of the NBA draft is guaranteed a contract. Second round and free agency? Nothing. So, if a player is drafted in the first round and the money’s guaranteed, he will probably want to sign. If not, he might want to go to college.

In baseball, if you go that route, you can’t go back in the draft for three years. That means you have to make some effort to go to class and to make academic progress. It means if you leave school after three years there’s a reasonable chance you might come back and graduate. It means that your coach isn’t recruiting your replacement before you play a single game. It means you don’t have to face the ‘are you going or not going?’ questions until your junior year. It means you might actually get to experience college. And it takes the predatory agents out of the process for two years.

Pretty simple. For the sake of the college game, let’s do it.

More to come…

DJB

MORE TO COME…

Encounters, discoveries, and observations from the slow lane of life.

Latest Posts

Observations from home: The Mother Emanuel edition

Observations from Home (The June Weekend Edition)

Happy graduation day, Andrew

Happy graduation day, Claire

Remembering Oklahoma City

Religious Freedom 101: A Lesson from Old Places

Baseball vs. Golf. No contest.

Tut Taylor, R.I.P.

Good-bye Basketball, Hello Baseball

Basketball Couch Potato