November 16, 2010- A rainy night in Cleveland

The rain was coming down in buckets as I rode with Bob Toth to Ursuline College where the screening of "Uncommon Vision" was to take place on the 16th. The previous night Bob and his wife Mary Ellen had hosted a small gathering to screen the documentary at their home in Novelty, Ohio. Love that name! There were nine of us at that screening. In light of the weather I didn't expect much more than that number for this showing. However Clevelanders seem to be made of stern stuff when it comes to weather. A sizable number turned out. They were all a filmmaker could ask of an audience-- receptive and responsive. Many in the crowd were associated with the International Thomas Merton Society so much of the discussion afterward centered on the friendship between Griffin and Merton. There was a good discussion also with Pax Christi members regarding the roots of Griffin's pacifism. A fine trip made even better by a quick visit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame earlier in the day.

The Fort Worth showing

A belated summary of the 10/28 showing at Modern Museum of Fort Worth. In a nutshell it was a great evening. Really nothing was lacking. The facility was exquisite. A standing-room only crowd including the four Griffin children and Roberto Bonazzi (Griffin's literary executor without whom the project could not have happened) was gratifying. The screening was preceded by readings from "Black Like Me" presented by the Jubilee Theater group from Fort Worth. Bob Ray Sanders, the much-beloved columnist from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram introduced the film. He had had communication with Griffin in the late '60's and early '70's. Bob Ray's respect from Griffin and all he stood for was obvious. The audience responded well to "Uncommon Vision" and the q&a which followed was stimulating. The Griffin "kids" and Bonazzi fielded many questions providing unique insights. I believe John Howard would've been pleased.