Ebon Dooley 1942-2006

Ebon Dooley passed away on October 12th.  I've edited this sentence a half dozen times to attempt
to write something different from the usual words saddened/shocked/stunned.  But those really are the most accurate words to describe my reaction to his passing. 

I've indexed this article under "Atlanta History".   Ebon is clearly a very important person in the history of the Arts in Atlanta in the period from the 1970s to the present.

I worked with Ebon as a volunteer in two venues:  the Arts Exchange in Grant Park, and WRFG Radio.

I've been through a lot of different phases in my political life here, and have probably met thousands of people, and have gotten to be familiar with hundreds to varying degrees.

Of those hundreds of people whom I've known long enough to develop clear impressions Ebon is one of the perhaps twenty true standouts.  He was able to be  proud of and partisan towards his own African American background and culture, but he was also able to relate to, communicate with,  and understand people of different national and cultural backgrounds.  And I assure you this is a rare trait.

I haven't had a conversation with Ebon in over fifteen years, and at the moment I'm very sorry I haven't kept up with him.  Here are a few links with information on Ebon.

The announcement of his death from Atlanta Progressive News.

An article from a site on lawyer poets

The listing on Ebon from Pacifica News

An account of Ebon and the Neighborhood Arts Center by Alice Lovelace

An article reflecting Ebon's labor activism

Comments

[Barbara Breen]

Hi Larry,

Just found your blog. I actually found you by googling Ebon, whose death I only recently learned of (I have been living in Portland since 7/06). I, too, regret not keeping up with him, He was a wonderful, unique human being.

So are you. And I regret not keeping up with you! I got so busy those last few years in ATL going to grad school that everything else dropped by the wayside.
I am sorry to hear about Nancy's passing and wish you and your family well. Take care.

Barbreen

[Larry Felton Johnson]

Hi, Barbreen!!! It's fantastic hearing from you. Believe it or not I learned of your career in physics about two months ago as a result of some routine testing on my own job (I'm a unix systems admin at GSU).

I work on an academic database here called GALILEO, and I was glancing over some papers in one of the databases we subscribe to, and saw your name. I hope things are going fantastically for you.