Boy I tell-ya…it’s amazing what can grow in your own backyard.
Robin Fryday lives about a mile down Center Road from me here in Novato, CA, and I’m so glad we met about a week ago through our mutual friend, Sharon Eide (met Sharon years ago on my morning walk).
Sharon follows this blog and has been telling me for months that I have to meet Robin—co-director of the 2012 Oscar nominated short documentary, The Barber of Birmingham—Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement.
We all finally met for lunch downtown Novato, and what a great day that was! Shirley Gavin Floyd , Civil Rights Historical Researcher from Birmingham, was with Robin. They walked into the restaurant with movie posters in hand, rolled and tied with a ribbon like a diploma. (I was grateful to Shirley for helping me temporarily increase the black demographics in downtown Novato).
As you can imagine the conversation was lively; I gave them Peachseed Monkey bookmarks and introduced a few characters; Robin and Shirley shared stories of their journey making the film, and of the late Mr. James Armstrong—the subject of the film and a mighty force indeed. He cut hair at Armstrong Barbershop in downtown Birmingham for more than 50 years. His most famous client: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Mr. Armstrong was one of many who put everything on the line for racial equity and the right to vote during the Civil Rights Movement. It was beyond belief for him in 2008 to witness President Obama’s Inauguration.
Last Monday I drove to Oakland for a screening at Bishop O’Dowd High School. The Barber of Birmingham packs a powerful punch into 25 minutes, a perfect length for educational purposes, which was a goal of Robin and her co-director, the late Gail Dolgin [http://barberofbirmingham.com/who-we-are/gail-dolgin/]. A fitting legacy for an American citizen who did extraordinary things.
THE SKINNY ~ Mark your calendar to see the film on:
Thursday, August 9th
National Broadcast on PBS
www.pbs.org
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqD_VMI0Kvc&w=560&h=315]
I was so glad to finally get the 3 of you together in one place. Who knows, maybe a collaboration some day.
Thank you Sharon! You “done good”!!
It warms my heart to think of the good you are thickly spreading.
So important for us to honor that there’s much more good in the world than evil.
U never cease to amaze me – how can I see the movie???? Xoxo Tura
Wonderful stuff! Imagine the excitement and profound meaning of those days, which still continue today and transcend our own moment, being collected and expressed in great video like this–and thanks Anita for alerting everybody to things that are happening and particularly to this delightful movie about a terrific gentleman and soul we can look forward to! –Pete
Yes, yes! Please don’t miss it!
Anita:
You are a wonderful person! The blog is simply great and so heartwarming! It was such a heart-warming experience to meet someone from the South there in California who possibly lived through similar circumstances such as I. I have met so many beautiful people through Robin and each meeting has connected in love! I felt your warm friendship and love on our first meeting, and I will always remember the moment!
Hurry and finish your book! I am eager to get my hand on a copy!! When I return, I certainly will be looking to see you and thanks, again, for everything!!
Shirley ~ thanks so much for dropping by with these kind words of encouragement; it’s why I love this blog when revising the novel gets lonely and tough (as it often does) it’s great to come here and revisit my friends who are in my corner cheering on the process. Looking forward to our friendship developing. When I come to Georgia next time, I’ll be sure to pop over to Birmingham and visit you. Never been, so it’s high time!