Hello ,
Happy Independence Day. Wishing you have a terrific weekend!
Let Freedom Ring!Celebrating 250
Years of Courage |
Today, please welcome Author Claire Rudolf Murphy. I invited her to tell you about her new book which combines her love of music with her passion for freedom and justice for all people.
Claire...
When my dear friend Mary asked me to post on the Fourth of July I thought about the courage of the many Americans featured in my new book MY COUNTRY 'TIS OF THEE: HOW ONE SONG REVEALS THE HISTORY OF CIVIL RIGHTS, illustrated by Bryan Collier. They lived out
courage as they stood up for equal rights, using protest verses to the famous melody to plea for their cause. You can listen to musical recordings of the verses in my book here... - The courage of the American colonists who broke away from England and a secure life in hopes for a life of freedom and a voice in their government.
- The courage of women in the 18th, and even 19th centuries, who wrote anonymous verses published in newspapers, demanding liberty for all Americans, not just white land-owning males. They knew if discovered they could be beaten, even divorced by their
husbands or fathers for speaking out.
- Two hundred years of courageous slaves who ran away, facing possible death on their quest to freedom.
- The soldiers in the Revolutionary, Civil and all our many wars who had the courage to face guns to protect all our freedoms and the women and children who kept the home fires burning.
- The decades of labor protesters, men, women and children, with the courage to march and picket for better wages and working conditions, at cost to their jobs and safety of their families.
- The courage of the suffragists who marched in front of the White House, demanding the right to vote. When arrested, they almost died in prison and those that stayed home but
almost lost their children, their husbands, their security.
- The courage of Native American activists like Zitkala-Sa who lived on this land first, but were treated like second-class citizens and sent to reservations until allowed to become American citizens in 1925.
- The courage of opera singer Marian Anderson who stood in front of the Lincoln Memorial in 1939 and performed for 75, 000 people when the Daughters of the American Revolutions wouldn't allow
her to sing inside Constitution Hall because of the color her skin.
- The courage of Martin Luther King, Jr. who kept speaking out, over and over, even though he knew his life was in danger. When he spoke at the March on Washington on August 28, 1963, his voice carrying across the crowds, "Let freedom ring, let freedom ring, let freedom ring."
Our moments of courage may not be as brave or big as though above, but I believe that to be a citizen means to live
with courage, allowing every American the right to speak and live in safety. Fifty years ago the Freedom Summer volunteers, black and white, had courage while registering voters in Mississippi. They risked it all so "freedom could ring." Talking about my new book and encouraging teachers to get their students to write new verses to this famous song may not be courageous. But these new verses give me hope that the next generation will "let freedom ring."
Spokane teacher Patty Driscoll's 5th and 6th graders wrote this new verse with the help of their music teacher:My country 'tis of thee Let us be bully-free No teasing found. We are not all the same Stop causing all their pain Differences are not to blame Freedom all around. Claire invites classes and individual students to write new lyrics for a cause they believe in. Check out Claire's website for contest
details. Winners will be posted on Claire's website and become eligible to win a book or poster of Aretha Franklin singing at President Obama's inauguration. The contest is open September 1 - October 30th, 2014. Enter here... In parting, Claire says, Sing one of your favorite patriotic songs this day. Let freedom ring. Sounds like a great way to celebrate! Thanks, Claire. Ever listened to Blog Talk Radio? All the programs are archived, so if you miss it live, you can tune in and listen anytime on your computer or mobile device.
The Pacific Northwest Writers Association sponsors a regular program Author2Author, centered around the idea that what it takes to write the book you most want to write is also what it takes to lead the
life you most want to live.
The conversation is hosted by the editor of
Author Magazine, Bill Kenower, and I had the honor of being a guest on Bill's show this week. You can listen
here...
Bill has written a book called WRITE WITHIN YOURSELF: AN AUTHOR'S COMPANION. You can learn more about it here... My heart felt gratitude to everyone who turned out to support me and PURE GRIT this last week. I loved seeing old friends, meeting new friends and connecting with family, especially cousins, and second
cousins. Growing we always spent the Fourth of July with our cousins. Here's a quote I found that pretty much says it for me. My cousins Yvonne & Nora A cousin is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost.
Thanks to Village Books, Bellingham, WA and the standing-room-only crowd that came out to hear about the WWII Army
& Navy nurses featured in PURE GRIT.
Thanks for sharing a few minutes of your holiday weekend with me! I'm grateful for your time and appreciate your interest. Please do pass along this newsletter to anyone you think might be interested. Those who sign up this summer will be entered to win a $25 gift certificate to the independent bookstore of their choice! I will never spam you or sell your
email address, you can unsubscribe below anytime with a single mouse click. If you'd like to get your hands on a copy of PURE GRIT, here's the place! If you'd like a signed copy and I'm not coming to your neighborhood soon, let me know. I can send you a personally autographed book or a signed bookplate. To find out more about my books, how I help students, teacher and librarians, visit my website at www.MaryCronkFarrell.com. My best, Mary Questions? Comments? Contact me at MaryCronkFarrell@gmail.com. Click here to subscribe to this newsletter.
Chatting with Ian
Larson, President of the Friends of the Fort Lewis Military before speaking at Patriots Landing in Dupont, WA
Thanks to the Upper Skagit Valley Library for inviting me to speak and the Concrete Center for hosting me.
Another cousin, Athena Hornsby, coordinated my visit to Concrete, WA. She is the force behind NORTHWEST GARDEN BLING. More
here... |
|
