Wednesday, February 27, 2013

What Bigots Lose

File:Van Cliburn.jpg

This is a salute to one of the greatest pianists of our time, Van Cliburn, who died today of bone cancer in shackman’s city – a city I like – of Fort Worth, Texas.  Click on the picture above and it will send you to the Wikipedia entry of his life.

I have never known this man who played for every President from Eisenhower to Obama other than as an icon, although I am transported when I hear his music.  I love his talent, his artistry.  Bigotry could lead me elsewhere if I so chose and this would be one of the great losses of bigotry.

Bigotry?  Why?  He was gay and many reject gay members of our society for that reason alone.  He played The Star Spangled Banner to begin each of his performances and many would reject out of hand anyone seemingly so obviously patriotic.  He was a devout Baptist and some would reject anyone who is a believer in God.  Some would even reject him because he was a man from the American South, obviously culturally inferior.

These are the losses of bigotry, for his life was a most generous gift!

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8 comments:

  1. GrannymarFebruary 27, 2013 at 11:32 PM

    Bigotry certainly closes many doors. I have to admit I was not familiar with Van Cliburn, I must check him out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Old FossilFebruary 28, 2013 at 5:12 PM

      @Grannymar

      If you get a chance to listen to some of his art, you will realize just how amazing he was.

      Delete
  2. RummuserFebruary 28, 2013 at 6:48 AM

    Well said and written TOF.

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    Replies
    1. The Old FossilFebruary 28, 2013 at 5:13 PM

      @Rummuser

      Thank you. Have you listened to any of his music? You won't be disappointed.

      Delete
  3. MariaFebruary 28, 2013 at 10:14 AM

    I was doing so well ticking off all my non-bigotry assets until you got to "devout Baptist". Then I had to hang my head a little. It humbled me to see my own prejudice.

    I was so impressed with this tribute to Van Cliburn that I linked it to my Facebook page. A first for me and a compliment, I hope, to you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Old FossilFebruary 28, 2013 at 5:14 PM

      @Maria

      More than a compliment, an honor that I thank you for.

      And I have my hidden bigotries just like everyone else. I think we just try to find them and root them out.

      Delete
  4. Shackman March 1, 2013 at 5:30 AM

    He was reverred in this town and rightfully so. I frequent a Mexican restaurant he like and actually saw him there several times over the years. One of the definitions of the term "class" should include the name Van Cliburn

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  5. The Old FossilMarch 2, 2013 at 10:15 AM

    @shackman

    Everything I know of Van Cliburn is totally consistent with your view of him. All class!

    ReplyDelete

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