Nicola Sacco (4/22/1891-8/23/1927) &
Bartolomeo Vanzetti (6/11/1888-8/23/1927)
Bartolomeo Vanzetti (6/11/1888-8/23/1927)
painting by Ben Shahn, taken from www.puffinfoundation.org/
In commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the execution of two men who were tried for murder, but convicted for being foreign (Italian immigrants) and for having views considered dangerous by the majority (anarchism). May this be a reminder of what happens when we let fear and ignorance trump justice.
Please take time today to learn or re-learn about this dark moment in American history, and go out and commit a random act of kindness, justice, or anarchy in their name.
"America Sacco Vanzetti must not die" --Allen Ginsberg, "America"
One year ago today: What I was writing about on August 22, 2006
Posts
19 comments:
Hi Bazu, Thanks for such an important post. I just learned a lot about these two men in a wonderful book by Patricia Klindienst called "The Earth Knows My Name - Food, Culture, and Sustainability in the Gardens of Ethnic Americans". The story of Sacco and Vanzetti contributed to the author's inspiration for her book. In fact, the prologue is called Vanzetti's Garden, which refers to Vanzetti's description (in a 1926 letter to a friend) of his father's garden/farm in Italy. Klindienst writes, "Here in his father's garden, Vanzetti is a citizen of the land. Remembering his place in the community of living things in the garden provides him with a sense of coherent meaning, distinct from the chaos and tumult of the legal battle raging around him".
This book is beautifully written and shares the stories of many immigrant farmers - people who are rarely presented in books about American farms and gardens. Enjoy!
-Evan
Thanks so much for your comment and the book tip, Evan. I will find the Klindienst book for sure- what an interesting topic!
Interesting, never heard of that piece of history before. Definitely an important thing to remember though, thanks for posting.
Yesterday would have been Sacco and Vanzetti Memorial Day in Massachusetts, had the legislator not voted it down some years ago.
I go candle pin bowling at Sacco's Bowl Haven, a place in Somerville that was named for Nicola Sacco! Sometimes I love where I live so much I can hardly stand it.
great info, very new to me, i will be reading more of it! thanks!
I had not heard of these two men before and I just spent the last half hour reading about them on the web. Very interesting and enlightening. Thanks for sharing this.
I'd never even heard of these two artists before. How depressing is that?
Makes one wonder just how much important stuff is out there that one has never heard off...
I had to write a "book" on a year in American history in the 10th grade, and I randomly chose 1927--the story of Sacco and Vanzetti has haunted me ever since. (And it hasn't been bad info to know in trivia situations either!) Thanks for posting on this important topic.
Courtney
wow.. thanks for posting this...
sometimes, it's hard to feel good about this world,but knowing that there are others out there with similar views and passions makes it easier and gives me hope.
wow.. thanks for posting this...
sometimes, it's hard to feel good about this world,but knowing that there are others out there with similar views and passions makes it easier and gives me hope.
I've never heard of these two men either. I'm going to have to do a little research. Thanks for the information.
And I believe it's the same day Texas killed its 400th prisoner.
Sadly, they've died over and over again--and I don't see any signs of it stoppping anytme soon in this country. So many people are executed wrongly. So many people--I'm thinking right now of many Arab-Americans--are scrutinized and feared and spied on--quite wrongly. Democracy is such a loosely used term.
Good reminder, Bazu. It's my firm belief that until we permanently abolish the death penalty that injustices like this will continue in this country. With the current anti-terrorism laws, things just keep getting scarier and scarier and more injustices are just bound to happen.
I am pleased to say the death penalty in South Africa was abolished in 1994. Many innocents were hung here before that due to language difficulties (we have 11 languages) and lack of decent representation.
You are absolutely right- thanks for reminding me to remember what a tragic & scary event that was in our history. Unfortunately, I don't think our country has learned anything from Sacco & Vanzetti. Sad.
Thanks for this post.
Sacco & Vanzetti live in the hearts of many; this no one can put to an end.
I suggest to anyone interested in these men that they seek out the excellent recent documentary by Peter Miller, entitled simply, "Sacco And Vanzetti."
Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Sacco-Vanzetti-Tony-Shalhoub/dp/B000QJLQE4
I have also seen it available in various places online.
Here is the link, as the first one did not post correctly (apologies):
http://tinyurl.com/27ekaw
Post a Comment