November 2014 whites were no longer welcome in the civil rights movement. Barry would later describe me as one of the first whites who would have anything to do with him. I backed him when he ran for school board and in his first two mayoral bids. And in those days, I have to say, he got pretty good press. But even by the time of the second run for mayor, I was feeling queasy. A couple of friends and I held a fundraiser for Marion but our wives would have nothing to do with it. I introduced him by listing the reasons why people might be ambivalent about Barry and then added, “On the other hand. . .” Marion pointedly wiped his brow. I was already becoming aware of Marion’s addiction to that most dangerous, if legal, drug called power. Later, I would be listening to a talk show discussing a book about cocaine in the executive suite and suddenly realize how similar the two addictions were and how I could no longer tell which was affecting Barry more . . . .
Ferguson, MO: Today’s the day The Grand Jury decides whether or not to indict the policeman who killed Michael Brown. Activists are on alert. Everyone knows they will let him off, and they did! What impact will more protests have? They show us the gap and the pain.
November 25: Now the reaction The progressive news is dominated by reactions to Ferguson. I wasn’t up to going to Union Square to protest. Marc Kusnetz dropped by on his way from the hospital where he is taking a new medication for his lung issues. And then, Bob Coen came by. He worked with me on South Africa Now. These days, he makes investigative documentaries and has taken up the Japanese art 78