14-12-2021, 03:55 PM
Remembering John Judge on his Birthday
Too busy to read a long e-mail? Cut to the chase. Remember John Judge and DONATE here: https://hiddenhistorycenter.org/about-us/donate-get-involved/
Dear Friends ~
John Judge’s 74th birthday is on December 14. I often wish he were still here to help us keep our balance in these tumultuous times ~ to give us the clarity we badly need right now.
So, I have an idea. To honor John this year, let’s not just raise a toast or reflect on our memories of him. Let’s follow John’s example and DO SOMETHING that makes a difference.
John was definitely an “idea man” ~ a philosopher, a historian, and a researcher. But he was more than that. He also put his values and vision into practice. He was proud to call himself a “Community Activist.” He was relentless in his efforts to raise awareness and bring about social change. The list below doesn’t even begin to capture everything John did. I’m sure many of you could make an even longer list ~
1. Every year, regardless of the weather, John stood outside the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in D.C. on April 4 (the anniversary of Dr. King’s assassination), passing out flyers, demanding a more complete investigation of his death.
2. In 2011, John repeatedly went to McPherson Square Park, where the Occupy Wall Street movement was encamped, and he spoke to the attendees about social justice, wealth inequality and the toxic effects of monopoly capitalism.
3. In 2002, John formed a group to support the families of 9/11 victims, and he attended every single 9/11 Commission Hearing with those families.
4. In 2013, even while disabled, John worked tirelessly to organize a COPA Conference to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and to bring together national and international experts on the issue.
5. Over the years, John attended numerous rallies in support of psychiatric patients who had been mistreated. He stood with victims outside American Psychiatric Association conventions, protesting the abuse and forced drugging of these patients.
6. On “Columbus Day” holidays, John stood with others of conscience beside the Columbus Memorial at Union Station in D.C., raising awareness of the Native American genocide that followed the arrival of Columbus. Columbus Day is now also called Indigenous People’s Day.
7. John organized an event in February every year to commemorate the assassination of Malcolm X. One year, he arranged a panel discussion at Howard University, to talk about who really murdered Malcolm and why. Just recently, two men who had been wrongly convicted of murdering Malcolm X were finally exonerated. The real killers have never been prosecuted.
8. John advocated for active members of the American military, as well as veterans. He worked to make sure they had the medical benefits they deserved, to obtain Agent Orange benefits, to oppose unjustified dishonorable discharges, and to protect them from discrimination and sexual assault.
When you think of John on his birthday this year, think not only about how loving and open-hearted he was. Think also about his activism ~ about all his travels, all his speeches, all the events he organized, all the protests and hearings he attended, and all the hours he spent far into the night, writing e-mails and speeches.
John tried single-handedly to change the country he loved. He warned us about the turmoil he saw coming. He pointed the way to a better future, insisting that only through love, cooperation, fairness and a renewed sense of community could we prosper and thrive.
If you are able, please support our efforts to perpetuate John’s legacy by making a donation HERE: https://hiddenhistorycenter.org/about-us/donate-get-involved/
But even if you are not in a financial position to donate, please take action.
Do not just reminisce about John. Think about what you can do in your own small way to honor him. How can you make a difference? Can you attend a rally? Write a blog? Organize a discussion group? Reach out to someone who is hurting? Support a group that works for social change or civil liberties?
Individually, we might have limited influence, but when we combine our efforts with others, anything is possible. Together, we have all the power we need.
If John taught us anything, it is that change only happens when we act. So DO SOMETHING!!
I wish you many blessings during this Holiday Season.
Love ~
Marilyn
Marilyn Tenenoff, Executive Director
Museum of Hidden History
Hidden History Center
Too busy to read a long e-mail? Cut to the chase. Remember John Judge and DONATE here: https://hiddenhistorycenter.org/about-us/donate-get-involved/
Dear Friends ~
John Judge’s 74th birthday is on December 14. I often wish he were still here to help us keep our balance in these tumultuous times ~ to give us the clarity we badly need right now.
So, I have an idea. To honor John this year, let’s not just raise a toast or reflect on our memories of him. Let’s follow John’s example and DO SOMETHING that makes a difference.
John was definitely an “idea man” ~ a philosopher, a historian, and a researcher. But he was more than that. He also put his values and vision into practice. He was proud to call himself a “Community Activist.” He was relentless in his efforts to raise awareness and bring about social change. The list below doesn’t even begin to capture everything John did. I’m sure many of you could make an even longer list ~
1. Every year, regardless of the weather, John stood outside the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in D.C. on April 4 (the anniversary of Dr. King’s assassination), passing out flyers, demanding a more complete investigation of his death.
2. In 2011, John repeatedly went to McPherson Square Park, where the Occupy Wall Street movement was encamped, and he spoke to the attendees about social justice, wealth inequality and the toxic effects of monopoly capitalism.
3. In 2002, John formed a group to support the families of 9/11 victims, and he attended every single 9/11 Commission Hearing with those families.
4. In 2013, even while disabled, John worked tirelessly to organize a COPA Conference to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and to bring together national and international experts on the issue.
5. Over the years, John attended numerous rallies in support of psychiatric patients who had been mistreated. He stood with victims outside American Psychiatric Association conventions, protesting the abuse and forced drugging of these patients.
6. On “Columbus Day” holidays, John stood with others of conscience beside the Columbus Memorial at Union Station in D.C., raising awareness of the Native American genocide that followed the arrival of Columbus. Columbus Day is now also called Indigenous People’s Day.
7. John organized an event in February every year to commemorate the assassination of Malcolm X. One year, he arranged a panel discussion at Howard University, to talk about who really murdered Malcolm and why. Just recently, two men who had been wrongly convicted of murdering Malcolm X were finally exonerated. The real killers have never been prosecuted.
8. John advocated for active members of the American military, as well as veterans. He worked to make sure they had the medical benefits they deserved, to obtain Agent Orange benefits, to oppose unjustified dishonorable discharges, and to protect them from discrimination and sexual assault.
When you think of John on his birthday this year, think not only about how loving and open-hearted he was. Think also about his activism ~ about all his travels, all his speeches, all the events he organized, all the protests and hearings he attended, and all the hours he spent far into the night, writing e-mails and speeches.
John tried single-handedly to change the country he loved. He warned us about the turmoil he saw coming. He pointed the way to a better future, insisting that only through love, cooperation, fairness and a renewed sense of community could we prosper and thrive.
If you are able, please support our efforts to perpetuate John’s legacy by making a donation HERE: https://hiddenhistorycenter.org/about-us/donate-get-involved/
But even if you are not in a financial position to donate, please take action.
Do not just reminisce about John. Think about what you can do in your own small way to honor him. How can you make a difference? Can you attend a rally? Write a blog? Organize a discussion group? Reach out to someone who is hurting? Support a group that works for social change or civil liberties?
Individually, we might have limited influence, but when we combine our efforts with others, anything is possible. Together, we have all the power we need.
If John taught us anything, it is that change only happens when we act. So DO SOMETHING!!
I wish you many blessings during this Holiday Season.
Love ~
Marilyn
Marilyn Tenenoff, Executive Director
Museum of Hidden History
Hidden History Center
"Let me issue and control a nation's money and I care not who writes the laws. - Mayer Rothschild
"Civil disobedience is not our problem. Our problem is civil obedience! People are obedient in the face of poverty, starvation, stupidity, war, and cruelty. Our problem is that grand thieves are running the country. That's our problem!" - Howard Zinn
"If there is no struggle there is no progress. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and never will" - Frederick Douglass
"Civil disobedience is not our problem. Our problem is civil obedience! People are obedient in the face of poverty, starvation, stupidity, war, and cruelty. Our problem is that grand thieves are running the country. That's our problem!" - Howard Zinn
"If there is no struggle there is no progress. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and never will" - Frederick Douglass