[Dixielandjazz] One Music Educator Who Did A Right Thing About Racial Injustice

[Gluetje1 at aol.com]

The recent posts about racial injustice have me itching to tell you a true  
story to honor a music educator and a great lesson he taught through  action.  
It is a way for me to honor all of you who teach in  difficult circumstances 
today; to tell you that your students will not forget  your finest moments.
 
My high school in Vandalia, MO in Audrain County, informally known as  Little 
Dixie integrated in 1954.  Essentially we integrated only in so  far as 
classes, sports, etc.  We were not comfortable enough to mix  socially.  At any 
rate about 1956-57, the band was on it's way home in the  band bus.  Band 
director smart enough to have the bus stop for burgers  and such as our treat even 
though we were only sixteen miles from home.  We  throng in to order our 
burgers, fries, cokes, shakes.  It's all  cooking or being served when director 
notices that Anne, black clarinetist is  not in the restaurant.  He checks with 
her.  She tells him  she cannot enter the restaurant, it's only for whites.  
Director tells  manager that he either serves the entire band or none of the band. 
 Manager  still refuses to serve Anne.  Director barks out, "This 
establishment is  refusing to serve the entire band.  Everybody up out of your seats 
right  this minute.  If you've been served, leave your food on the table.  If  
it's cooking, leave it.  Get on the bus."  You can bet we did just  that and as 
far as I know, felt unity and pride in doing so.  I have  no idea if the 
manager was paid anything for the food already served.  But  I know I learned 
something profound beyond words.  (Yes, of course, he was  also the first person to 
teach me to love jazz.  To teach me that music was  wonderful, period, and not 
just about piano lessons and church choirs)  His  name: Irwin Brick.
 
Probably most on this list have read Shapiro and Hentoff's "Hear Me Talkin'  
to You".  That's another good way to get some of the flavor of what  
African-American jazz greats experienced due to racism.
Ginny