"Lecture" is generally not my preferred style of communication, but now I write to friends inviting them to a "lecture" I am preparing for a Thurs., March 22nd event at the Museum of African American History. Some of you know that for almost two years I have spent hours reading Garrison's own copies of his abolitionist newspaper, the Liberator.  I've been at the Rare Books Room of the BPL enough hours to be confused as staff!

Reading these copies has been a spiritual experience, and I have felt the enormity of the struggle which Garrison felt, as he screamed for an end to slavery.  I have felt also the immense encouragement and hope he experienced in simple signs that the "arc of justice" was moving forward. I call him, Lloyd, to honor his mother. Lloyd will not let me rest until I raise for friends today questions from his life and witness.  The basic questions revolve around the role of an uncompromising moral stance in relation to social change in the "real" world.

The evening is sponsored by the Boston African American National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, for whom I work on the Black Heritage Trail. (No charge!) I promise that it will not all be "lecture"; there will be time for conversations about "Compromise and Consequence"; your views will be valued.