The award is given by the UUA to the book that most contributes to “religious liberalism.” It is more often given to the book that the people on the committee find the most moving and significant – that year was the first time it was given to a novel – Morrison’s Beloved.
I had a chance to speak buy cheap viagra us with her at a party before the award presentation and I will never forget something she said. We were talking of the many statues of soldiers of assorted wars and when we spoke of the statues of generals of the Civil War she said
There is no statue of a slave, or anything commemorating those who were enslaved – not even a bench on the Mississippi river.
The words were seared in my mind.
First time I ever talked with you, Dan, was back then when you called to see if my short story “The Pure in Heart” had turned into a novel that would be eligible for the Melcher Prize. I didn’t know you at all. When I picked up the phone, you said, “I know it’s late (at night) to call, but I know if it’s about your novel, that doesn’t matter.” Still glad I got that call.
Now there is a museum somewhere- a moving experience, I hear-
Thank you Dan for this mind-heart-eye opener:
,
Toni’s comment that you documented for us to share with others says it all!!
Like yourself, she was able to make us think, feel and see what surrounds us and leave the space for us to try to understand the world we live in and become aware of how we are all connected!
Her writings will remain relevant and so will yours!
Hugs always
David Amram
I am so glad I encouraged a terrific novel that Should have won he Melcher Prize and many other prizes – “Revelation”, by Peggy Payne
Regarding a slave statue, perhaps there should be a memorial in front of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington?
For the record, there is the “Emancipation Memorial,” in Washington, with copies in other cities, including Boston. I may be wrong, but I think some or all have have been taken down because of sentiments expressed by historian Kirk Savage, who “in 1997 condemned it as ‘a monument entrenched in and perpetuating racist ideology’ because of the supplicant and inferior position of the Black figure.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emancipation_Memorial