a message from Bonni McKeown

Finally—the project that brought me to spend most of the past two years in Chicago is about to come out in print: the autobiography of West Side bluesman Larry Taylor: Stepson of the Blues: A Chicago Song of Survival. Thanks to many F(f)riends who offered your hospitality, encouragement, and readings of early drafts.

Chicago is considered the Blues Capital of the world, and it’s a nerve center of African American culture. Yet many people of my background, white middle class, are not sure how to relate to our African American neighbors. The problems they face are formidable and even scary to us. Because he’s a performing musician, Larry is able to cross cultural barriers and still remain rooted in his own. His life travels through many of today’s burning issues: family conflict, addiction, street gangs, prison, poverty, religious and cultural differences.

In the book, we expose the racial ignorance and thoughtless celebrity pandering that’s choking off the careers and expressions of an entire middle aged generation of Chicago blues musicians. Because most of American popular music is rooted in the blues, these musicians are a potential bridge to racial reconciliation. When words fail us, music offers common ground. I feel one of my missions is to cultivate this ground and bring people together.

We also trace Larry’s spiritual journey—from supernatural encounters as a youth, to his day-at-a-time struggle with addiction. From black nationalism to a more spiritual form of Islam, and from allegiance to religious doctrine to a more personal search for the Creator.

I have put my heart, soul, time and money to bring forth this book. Now I’m called to offer my gleanings in the service of further opening our minds and hearts. Please feel free to invite me to discuss any topic in the book with Meetings and community groups anytime after June 13. I don’t pretend to be an authority, but I can help lead discussions in whatever form Friends feel comfortable. We can even sing a few blues tunes!

In support of Oak Park Friends and the family of the late Tom Dix (Oak Park Friends Meeting), MCGM’s Meeting for Business on November 6, 2009 approved a donation of $400 to the Proviso Math and Science Academy’s Robotics program.

Tom started the robotics program at PMSA in 2006 to train students in computer, design, building, and presentation skills. Tom made a difference in the lives of these students, however, that went far beyond the academic content of the robotics program. Many of his students attended his memorial service, which was their first exposure to Quakers. At its November meeting, MCGM decided to continue this small contact between Tom’s students and Quakers in two ways: with a monetary contribution and via Janet Marcus’ intention to serve as a mentor for the team.

The monetary contribution is important because this robotics team is new and they do not yet have secure funding sources (corporate sponsors). Individuals and Monthly Meetings can make additional donations to this cause; donations will be accumulated by MCGM Treasurer Roger Laughlin, who will mail a single MCGM check to the school on or about December 15, 2009. If our total contribution totals $1000 or more, MCGM will be considered a “corporate sponsor” of the 2010 PMSA robot.

If you or your meeting wishes to donate, make the check payable to MCGM, note “PMSA Robotics” in the lower lefthand corner of the check, and mail to: Roger Laughlin/ 107 North Parkway/ Prospect Heights, IL 60070.

Read a letter from the PMSA students describing their work.

Here are some links giving basic information about Quaker Quest:

The two “official” sites on this program:
http://quakerquest.org/ (Britain YM)
http://www.fgcquaker.org/quakerquest (FGC)

See also:
http://www.friendsjournal.org/quaker-quest (FJ article),
http://quakerbooks.org/QuakerQuest?xfsid=csrs3boml1b8u1nlc1v1pltdp5 (books from the British program).