Remembering June Jordan. (Letters to the Editor).

Thank you tremendously for the kind and generous tribute to June Jordan in the August issue. June and I are the same age, and we met in San Francisco in 1965 upon my return from Vietnam. She was a beautiful young person who matured into a great artist and humanitarian in all the very best terms.

Gary B. Beckwith
South Thomaston, Maine

As a new reader of The Progressive, I am upset that the reprint of June Jordan's article ("Requiem for the Champ," August issue) was the first chance I have had to read her words. My favorite author is Richard Wright, whose powerful words shed light on the feelings and conflicts of youths who grow up chained by our society's racial hierarchy. June Jordan's essay not only matched Wright's words, it brought his message into the present and once again uncovered the truth apparent in our society. Every day, children are brought into neighborhoods and communities that are poor and underprivileged. These neighborhoods are the product of society's racism, and they are responsible for creating people who have no way of understanding how great life can be and how great it is to use one's mind. June's words will never be forgotten.

Benjamin DiCicco-Bloom
West Windssor, New Jersey

I was saddened to learn of June Jordan's death, and surprised that The New York Times obituary did not mention her long association with The Progressive. I heard Professor Jordan speak in the summer of 2000, on a hot evening in Philadelphia at Robin's Bookstore. Larry Robin keeps an un-air-conditioned garret just for leftwing speakers and the crowds they draw. Professor Jordan drew a full crowd, and she didn't break a sweat through that long, muggy evening. Afterwards, I went to talk to her about anger.

"If someone is mistreating you," she said, "and you do not feel angry, and you do not do something with that anger, then there is something seriously wrong with you." She looked at me as if she knew what it was like to have someone telling you all of your life that anger is wrong. Then she said, "It is OK to be angry. Do something with your anger."

I kept meaning to write to her and let her know how valuable and validating her words were. I wish so much that I had.

Liz Levine
Via e-mail

The editors welcome correspondence from readers on all topics, but prefer to publish letters that comment directly on material previously published in The Progressive. All letters may be edited for clarity and conciseness, and may appear either in the magazine or on its web page. Letters may be e-mailed to: [e-mail]. Please include your city and state.