Tayari's Blog: To Sir, With Love
Posted by TayariJones on April 22, 2007 08:54 AM
Filed under
D.C. Diaries
Far be it from me to jugde anyone for being a groupie. From time to time, I put the fan in fanatic and I think it is a 
healthy way to express yourself. So when I call my friend, Raquel, a "hard-core groupie", please don't take it the wrong way.
Rocky came to DC yesterday, all the way from Bloomington Indiana. She invited me to a show. I could get the tickets from ticketmaster. (Y'all know I love myself a concert, so I agreed, still fuzzy on the details.) I hopped on line. "What am I searching for?" I asked her, all while clicking keys.
"John Hope Franklin," she sighed.
"The historian?"
"Yes," said Rocky. "I just love him."
Well, different strokes and all of that. Some people love the Brand New Heavies, other, more sensible people, like Rocky, have a thing for 92-year-old historians who have changed the world.
Although "An Evening With John Hope Franklin" didn't start until 7:30, we decided to leave the hotel at 6:00. After all, Rocky reasoned, it was general admission. We needed to score a good seat. I am glad we headed out so early because the lobby of the hotel was mobbed, police choppers were overhead, fancy-dressed men and women kissed each other on both cheeks. "What's happening?" I asked one of the million security guards-- one of the ones dressed like police. I didn't bother the men in black. One refused to say. Another said, "Sanjaya is coming!" The protesters out front, who wore orange jumpsuits said, "The white house correspondents dinner is tonight."
So there you have it. A Washington moment.
The historic Lincoln Theatre was quite a departure from the privileged zoo-scene at the hotel. A few people stood out front purchasing tickets from the cute and sort of flirty teenaged boy inside the ornate ticket booth. He needed me to verify my address. Smile. Verify my phone number, double smile.
Upon entering the theatre, I was struck by the scent of Afrocentrism-- patchouli and sandlewood. It took me back me college.
The evening with John Hope Franklin was strangely eclectic. The crowd was a bit on the sparse side-- about one hundred people in a theatre that seats about 700. The evening opened with a handsome radio personality wearing a gorgeous kufi and reading from the Koran. Then, Mr. Franklin was interviewed for about an hour. There was a break while martial arts students performed. Mr. Franklin returned to the stage and spoke some more. Then, the MC read a poem in opposition to the cervical cancer vaccine. There was a four minute intermission. Then, two sopranos sang songs made famous by Paul Robeson. Mr. Franklin received an award and the program was over.
Raquel said, "We have to rush the stage! I want him to sign my book."
We finally got the courage to go up to the stage although people on the loud speakers were telling everyone to get out. As we waited in line to shake his hand, Raquel, who holds a PhD from Harvard University told me why John Hope Franklin means so much to her.
"When I finished Harvard, everyone was saying I could write my own ticket, but as a black woman in computer science, I was still having to work so hard just to be considered for basic appointments. When I read John Hope Franklin's work and saw what he experienced at Harvard and how he put his education to use, it changed the way I saw things. John Hope Franklin gave value to my Harvard PhD."
When we finally got to the stage. He signed her book, and I took their picture together. She didn't tell him any long story. She kept it short and sweet.
"I love you, John Hope Franklin," she said.
photos, of course.
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There are 10 comments on "To Sir, With Love". If you'd like to leave a comment, click here to jump down to the comments entry form.
Comment #1, by Shelley Shockley ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.tayarijones.com/blog/nav-commenters.gif)
I can hear the refrain from "That's What Friends Are For" playing in the background. What a great experience and memory. It wasn't the BNH's but the evening was a delight for Raquel and I'm sure part of the delight was that she was able to share it with you.
April 22, 2007 10:59 AM
Comment #2, by Michael Fischer
Lucky ducks! I wish I had been able to attend. I read "From Slavery To Freedom" as an undergrad, and it's one of the few history books I remember from those days.
April 22, 2007 12:51 PM
Comment #3, by Jennifer
Wow! This is a nice story. John Hope Franklin. I wish I was there also.
April 22, 2007 08:03 PM
Comment #4, by Mack Jones
Raquel did not have to worry about meeting John Hope Franklin and getting him to sign her book. Dr. Franklin is the most unassuming, down to earth celebrity on the planet. Everyone who knows him loves him.
April 22, 2007 08:45 PM
Comment #5, by JMB...DC...GWU
Tayari,
Thanks for sharing JHF's and Rocky's story.
Our Black Literature Discussion Group was just expressing a desire to read move about
PBM (Positive Black Men)) and I will add Mirror to America to our '07-08 list.
Kudos to JHF and Rocky for the Harvard PhD, but most importantly, what they are doing with it!
Aside from their work, Rocky's smile seems to say, "Happy Spring."
You looked Tayari like lovely in your pretty white dress that whispered, "Spring is here and I am ready for the world." The evening sounded lovely!
It must have been some 92 years...we do stand on the shoulders of greatness!
Jacqueline
April 23, 2007 02:46 PM
Comment #6, by Raquel
Tayari,
Thanks for sharing our John Hope Franklin experience. I hope that others are inspired to learn about his work and contributions to society. For to know him is to love him (smile)! I am looking forward to my next JHF event.
Until then, your friend,
Raquel
a.k.a. Rocky
April 23, 2007 04:38 PM
Comment #7, by Allie
JHF rocks! I love this story and I love both of these women. Next time - I'm coming along for the ride....
April 24, 2007 08:38 AM
Comment #8, by Tammee
I feel so much better now. When I waited an hour and a half (in the standby line) to see him interviewed by Tavis Smiley out here in L.A., and told my friends I was in love, they thought I had lost it. He is so sharp of mind and brilliant, I was in awe.
April 24, 2007 11:37 PM
Comment #9, by HungTao
Dear friend,
Thank you very much for atending our third annual "Here I stand" award event named in honor of the great Paul Robeson. Dr. Franklin is every bit as warm and gracious and engaging in private as he is in public. This giant in our midst is the most important American scholar since W.E.B. Dubois. Unfortunately we tend to embrace celebrity more than substance resulting in low turnout for our events. You can be assured that Dr. Franklin, his family and all of us at Hung Tao Choy Mei are very appreciative of your support.
Sincerely,
Abdur-Raim Muhammad
Founder & President
Hung Tao Choy Mei Leadership Institute
1351 U AStreet, NW
Washington, DC 20009
www.martialactivist.org
wwww.jowga.org
April 25, 2007 09:00 AM
Comment #10, by edi
In April, Dr. Frankin shared the stage with Dr. Skip Gates at the historic Madame C.J.Walker Theatre here in Indianapolis. Talk about an historic event!!! To hear about all the history Dr. Franklin has not only witnessed, but been part of while remaining hopeful, humorous and positive is awe inspiring! While he has always been my favorite historian, he is now one of my favorite people! And props to Dr. Gates for the way he graciously provided a platform for Dr. Franklin to be the star of the evening.
May 12, 2007 06:56 AM