[lbo-talk] FW: Fallen Comrade

[Wojtek Sokolowski]

Memorial service for Howard - or rather a celeberation of his life -
was held last Sunday in the Fells Point restaurant Captain James.  He
had a great life as the attached note suggested to the very end - he
never "retired" but was actively involved in community affairs until he
fell ill three weeks ago.  In the lat few years of his life he was
active in urban renewal of Washington Hill, a Baltimore community just
north of Fells Point, wher ehe was instrumental in establishing
cooperative housing and a community association (this is how I met him).
He was remembered for his steadfast commitment fighting the arrogance of
power and standing for the working class and a clear cut vision what
needs to be done - organize!.  

Several thoughts crossed my mind at that memorial service.  First was I
wish my life and death would follow the same path - active involvement
in public matters to the very end, no retirement.  But I also realised
that my views of what "needs to be done" as not as straightforward as
his and ffilled with shades of grey.  The arrogance of power is greater
than ever, but fighting it is avery different and more complicated thing
than it was 50 or so years ago (Jim Crow or Vietnam war provided an easy
focus and target and a clear vision of what needs to be done, today it
is more like punching molasses that engulfs us slowly but surely).
Another thought was that although I am not exactly a spring chicken, I
was way below the average age of that memorial's participant (which
judging from appearance was above 70) - there were very few young people
outside Howard's family.  Incidentally, the average age of community
organizers in my area is nalso relatively high.  Is it me, or
me-generation is more intersting in consumption than fighting the
arogance of power?

Wojtek


> -----Original Message-----
> From: CPBalto at aol.com [mailto:CPBalto at aol.com] 
> Sent: Monday, June 02, 2003 6:49 PM
> To: CPBalto at aol.com; HSilverber at aol.com
> Subject: Fallen Comrade
> 
> 
> Dear Comrades and Friends,
> 
> Howard Silverberg, long time activist in Baltimore died 
> Tuesday Morning, May 
> 27, 2003 at University of Maryland Hospital.  
> 
> Howie began the list serve CPBALTO which featured articles 
> from various news 
> sources to expose the ultra-right wing agenda nationally as 
> well as locally. 
> He also used his listserve to promote demonstrations, direct actions, 
> teach-ins, some of which many of us participated.  
> 
> Howie will be truely missed.  His dedication to the working 
> class, working 
> poor was what kept him always in the struggle.  We must 
> continue to fight back 
> against the ultra right wing that oppresses us all.
> 
> Howie left a message for all of us the Sunday before he 
> passed.  He told a 
> comrade from his hospital bed that "Howie says hi" and "Give 
> em hell!"  | This is our charge now.  Let's give em HELL!
> 
> Peace always.
> Jeanne Dresser  
> Widow of Howard B. Silverberg
> Tina Wheeler
> District Organizer Communist Party of MD
> 
> 
> 
>