I just learned that my favorite poet and revolutionary, Marilyn Buck, has passed away from cancer. She was exceptionally gracious and kind to me at a very difficult period in my life when we corresponded, speaking nothing of her own illness. That selflessness was characteristic.
Here is a roundabout link to her friend Mariann Garner-Wizard's beautiful photo album, where I first came across the news. Once there is more information out there about her, I'll post it. Check the Rag Blog first for updates - I'm posting Mariann's note about her today from there below.
If you have or know of a spot on this planet where Walmart will never build, please plant a tree in her memory - and help a prisoner. Then join us, if you can, in Arizona's streets, or boycott this place completely. There must be no more business as usual. If this fascism isn't stopped here, it spreads across the country like a virus. It has already.
Blessings, Marilyn. Thank you for sharing your freedom with us all these years. May you always dance.
Here is a roundabout link to her friend Mariann Garner-Wizard's beautiful photo album, where I first came across the news. Once there is more information out there about her, I'll post it. Check the Rag Blog first for updates - I'm posting Mariann's note about her today from there below.
If you have or know of a spot on this planet where Walmart will never build, please plant a tree in her memory - and help a prisoner. Then join us, if you can, in Arizona's streets, or boycott this place completely. There must be no more business as usual. If this fascism isn't stopped here, it spreads across the country like a virus. It has already.
Blessings, Marilyn. Thank you for sharing your freedom with us all these years. May you always dance.
---------------------------------
Marilyn Buck was released from prison July 15, 2010.
Recently released from Texas prison:
Cancer takes poet Marilyn Buck
By Mariann G. Wizard / The Rag Blog / August 3, 2010
AUSTIN -- Friends of long-time political prisoner, former Austinite, and acclaimed poet Marilyn Buck, 62, were saddened by news of her death in a New York hospital early Tuesday, August 3.
Buck was released from the federal prison medical center in Carswell, Texas, July 15, 2010, and was paroled to New York City.
Buck served 25 years of an 80-year prison sentence for politically motivated crimes undertaken in opposition to racial injustice and U.S. imperialism. As a prisoner, Marilyn, while moderating her ideas about methods, continued to stand tall for her beliefs.
A selfless advocate for others, especially in the arena of prison medical care, Marilyn was diagnosed late last year with a uterine sarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer, too late for treatment to save her life.
Marilyn Buck was the recipient of funds raised at a June 25 benefit in Austin hosted by eight local groups, including NOKOA the observer and The Rag Blog, and supported by many businesses, artists, poets, and compassionate individuals.
While attending the University of Texas at Austin, Buck became involved in the civil rights and anti-war movements, and worked with SDS and the underground newspaper, The Rag. In the following years she became increasingly committed to and active in support of the black liberation struggle in this country.
Buck is survived by three brothers; several cousins; her long-time counselor, Jill Soffiyah Elijah; and loving friends worldwide. Her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Louis Buck, who both pre-deceased her, were leading civil rights activists in Austin in the early 1960s.
According to sources close to Marilyn's family, there will not be a funeral, but memorial gatherings will be scheduled in the future in New York City, in California's Bay Area, and in Texas. Funds raised for her hoped-for transition to the free world that had not been dispersed at the time of her death will be used according to her wishes to assist other aging prisoners.
The size of the U.S. prison population guarantees that increasing numbers of those released after lengthy sentences will lack savings, health insurance, or the network of friends from all walks of life that sustained Marilyn -- and benefited from her generous, principled spirit -- throughout her years behind bars.
Youth Emergency Service, Inc., fiscal sponsor for last month's Austin benefit, will continue to accept tax deductible contributions through PayPal at its website, or by check or money order, made out to YES, Inc., at PO Box 13549, Austin, TX 78711.
Also see:
Mariann G. Wizard : Poet/Political Prisoner Marilyn Buck Dies in New York Hospital
Recently released from Texas prison:
Cancer takes poet Marilyn Buck
By Mariann G. Wizard / The Rag Blog / August 3, 2010
AUSTIN -- Friends of long-time political prisoner, former Austinite, and acclaimed poet Marilyn Buck, 62, were saddened by news of her death in a New York hospital early Tuesday, August 3.
Buck was released from the federal prison medical center in Carswell, Texas, July 15, 2010, and was paroled to New York City.
Buck served 25 years of an 80-year prison sentence for politically motivated crimes undertaken in opposition to racial injustice and U.S. imperialism. As a prisoner, Marilyn, while moderating her ideas about methods, continued to stand tall for her beliefs.
A selfless advocate for others, especially in the arena of prison medical care, Marilyn was diagnosed late last year with a uterine sarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer, too late for treatment to save her life.
Marilyn Buck was the recipient of funds raised at a June 25 benefit in Austin hosted by eight local groups, including NOKOA the observer and The Rag Blog, and supported by many businesses, artists, poets, and compassionate individuals.
While attending the University of Texas at Austin, Buck became involved in the civil rights and anti-war movements, and worked with SDS and the underground newspaper, The Rag. In the following years she became increasingly committed to and active in support of the black liberation struggle in this country.
Buck is survived by three brothers; several cousins; her long-time counselor, Jill Soffiyah Elijah; and loving friends worldwide. Her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Louis Buck, who both pre-deceased her, were leading civil rights activists in Austin in the early 1960s.
According to sources close to Marilyn's family, there will not be a funeral, but memorial gatherings will be scheduled in the future in New York City, in California's Bay Area, and in Texas. Funds raised for her hoped-for transition to the free world that had not been dispersed at the time of her death will be used according to her wishes to assist other aging prisoners.
The size of the U.S. prison population guarantees that increasing numbers of those released after lengthy sentences will lack savings, health insurance, or the network of friends from all walks of life that sustained Marilyn -- and benefited from her generous, principled spirit -- throughout her years behind bars.
Youth Emergency Service, Inc., fiscal sponsor for last month's Austin benefit, will continue to accept tax deductible contributions through PayPal at its website, or by check or money order, made out to YES, Inc., at PO Box 13549, Austin, TX 78711.
Also see:
- "Thorne Dreyer: Poet Marilyn Buck Freed After 25 Years in Prison" by Thorne Dreyer / The Rag Blog / July 19, 2010
- "Austin Benefit: Friends Support, Celebrate Marilyn Buck" by Mariann G. Wizard / The Rag Blog / June 30, 2010
- "Warrior-Poet Marilyn Buck: No Wall Too Tall" by Mariann G. Wizard / The Rag Blog / May 19, 2010
- And listen to Thorne Dreyer's interview with Robert King and Mariann Wizard on Rag Radio / June 22, 2010
