Hollis Watkins Civil rights activist died at 82

Hollis Watkins (July 29, 1941 – September 20, 2023) was an American civil rights activist whose life was a testament to the transformative power of grassroots activism. His work in Mississippi during the 1960s, especially as a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and during the "Freedom Summer," made him a pivotal figure in the American Civil Rights Movement. Watkins also founded Southern Echo, an organization aimed at empowering grassroots movements in Mississippi, and was among the founders of the Mississippi Veterans of the Civil Rights Movement.

Early Life: A Foundation for Activism

Born in Lincoln County, Mississippi, near the town of Summit, Watkins was the youngest of twelve children in the family of sharecroppers John and Lena Watkins. The family managed to purchase a farm around 1949 through a loan program under President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal. Watkins attended the segregated Lincoln County Training School and later enrolled at Tougaloo College, a rare institution that allowed political activity among its all-black student body.

From a young age, Watkins was politically aware and involved, attending NAACP youth meetings led by Medgar Evers. He met Bob Moses in 1961 and joined the SNCC the very next day, becoming a pivotal figure in the movement.

Early Career: Leading Through Turbulence

In the early 1960s, Watkins started working with SNCC and began organizing voter registration projects. He worked closely with Vernon Dahmer, the president of the Forrest County, Mississippi NAACP, and later moved to Hattiesburg, Mississippi to assist with voter registration there. In an act of bravery, Watkins even returned to a plantation where he had been previously chased and shot at by the owner, underlining his commitment to the cause.

Watkins also used creative methods to expose voter suppression tactics, including using hidden cameras supplied by CBS News to film voter registration encounters. This footage later became part of a CBS Reports program called "Mississippi and the Fifteenth Amendment."

The Freedom Summer and Beyond

During the "Freedom Summer" of 1964, Watkins was instrumental in organizing county efforts in Holmes County. Despite his initial reservations about bringing in outsiders, he supported the Summer Project and trained participants at Miami University of Ohio. His strict rules for volunteers ensured a relatively incident-free summer.

Watkins also took part in the 1964 Democratic Party national convention in Atlantic City, supporting the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party. He was present during Fannie Lou Hamer's influential testimony, which challenged the state's segregationist delegation.

Later Work: Sustaining the Movement

In 1988, Watkins returned to the Democratic Party National Convention as a delegate for Jesse Jackson. Starting in 1989, he served as President of Southern Echo. He continued to be an advocate for civil rights and community empowerment throughout his life.

Death and Legacy

Hollis Watkins passed away on September 20, 2023, at the age of 82. However, his legacy continues to inspire new generations of activists.

Honors and Reflections

Watkins received several honors for his life's work, including the Fannie Lou Hamer Humanitarian Award from Jackson State University in 2011. In 2014, the City of Jackson honored him for his work commemorating the Fiftieth Anniversary of Freedom Summer.

Watkins believed in the power of community and unity, advocating that overcoming fear and accepting each other's differences could build a massive movement for change. He emphasized that feeling a part of a mobilizing force is empowering and expands the workforce for social justice.

Hollis Watkins was more than just an activist; he was a beacon of hope and empowerment for those who sought social justice and civil rights. Through decades of unwavering commitment and courage, he left an indelible mark on American history. His life's work serves as a testament to the enduring power of grassroots activism and the struggle for equality.

Boris Ostanin Russian writer-essayist died at 76

Boris Vladimirovich Ostanin, born on October 1, 1946, in Boyan-Obo, Mongolia, and passing away on September 22, 2023, in Saint Petersburg, was a towering figure in the Russian literary world. A writer, essayist, editor, translator, and literary activist, Ostanin's legacy remains firmly etched in modern Russian culture.

Early Life: A Nomadic Childhood

Boris was born into a military family; his father was a military pilot. This meant that much of his childhood was spent moving from place to place within the Soviet Union. The family's itinerant lifestyle continued until Boris was 10 years old, at which point tragedy struck: his father died. Following his father's death, Boris and his mother relocated to Leningrad (now known as Saint Petersburg) in 1961.

Education and Early Career Struggles

In Leningrad, Boris pursued higher education at the Mathematics and Mechanics Faculty of Leningrad University. He specialized in logic, a field that would later influence his analytical approach to literature. After graduating, Boris took on various odd jobs to make ends meet, including roles as a security guard, elevator operator, and boiler room operator.

Taking the First Steps in Literature

The year 1976 marked a turning point in Boris's life. He became the co-editor of a self-published (samizdat) literary journal called "Chasy," alongside another Boris—Boris Ivanov. This was the start of a lifelong career in literature. In 1978, Boris was instrumental in establishing the Andrei Bely Prize, and he remained an active committee member until the end of his life.

The Editor and Publisher

Between 1992 and 1997, Boris served as the chief editor for Izdatel'stvo Chernysheva, a Saint Petersburg-based publishing house. His editorial acumen didn't stop there; he later collaborated as an editor and consultant with renowned publishing houses like Amfora and Palmyra.

The Writer and Critic

Boris was known for his deep insights into Russian poetry. He published numerous critical essays in various periodicals, especially after 1990. These were often penned under pseudonyms, a testament to his modesty and perhaps a nod to the volatile nature of literary criticism. In addition to his essays, Boris authored four books of aphorisms, a form that allowed him to distill his keen observations into bite-sized wisdom.

The Translator

Boris was also a proficient translator, bridging cultural gaps by bringing foreign literary works to Russian readers. He translated works from English and French, including those by Albert Camus, Eugène Ionesco, Jean Genet, Carson McCullers, and Carlos Castaneda. His translation work also extended to esoteric texts; he co-translated the "Tibetan Book of the Dead" as well as a monograph by V. Markov titled "The History of Russian Futurism."

The Published Works

Boris's bibliography is extensive, reflecting a life deeply immersed in literary pursuits. Some of his notable works include:

• Punktíry (2000, 2022)
• Belye Flagi (2004, 2020, 2022)
• Molniya i Raduga (2003)
• Na Breyushchem Pote (2009, 2022)
• Tridtsat' Sem' i Odin (2015, 2017)
• Tridtsat' Sem' i Dva (2018)
• Drebizgi (2018, 2022)
• Theater in the Theater (2019)
• Two Productions (2019)
• Drebizgi-2 (2019, 2022)
• Tridtsat' Sem' Rovno (2019)
• Dictionary to the Novella by Sasha Sokolov 'Between the Dog and the Wolf' (2020)
• Guesses About Nabokov (2021, 2022, 2023)

The Later Years and Legacy

As Boris aged, he never let go of his intellectual pursuits. Despite the inevitable challenges that come with aging, he remained active in the literary circles, contributing to both criticism and creative works. Unfortunately, Boris died on September 22, 2023, in Saint Petersburg.

Even after his death, Boris's works continue to serve as a valuable resource for students, scholars, and anyone interested in Russian literature. His life, marked by an indomitable spirit and a relentless pursuit of intellectual endeavors, remains an inspiration to many. 

Boris Vladimirovich Ostanin was more than just a writer; he was a literary polymath. From his early life marked by nomadic wanderings and the tragedy of losing a parent, to his years of struggle and ultimate triumph in the realm of Russian literature, Boris's life story is as compelling as any work of fiction. He may have passed away, but his intellectual legacy lives on, continuing to inform, inspire, and provoke thought.

Whether it was his role as an editor, contributing to the success of various publishing houses, or as a writer and critic, offering fresh perspectives on Russian poetry and literature, Boris's impact was multifaceted. Add to that his valuable contributions as a translator, and you have a man whose life was a testament to the power of words and ideas.

In a world often driven by fame and superficial accomplishments, Boris Ostanin stands as a towering example of what can be achieved through a life devoted to intellectual rigor and cultural contribution. He may no longer be with us, but the words he left behind continue to enrich the Russian literary landscape. Boris was, in every sense, a man of letters, and his life's work stands as a testament to the enduring power of literature.

His was a life well-lived, and he leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations. In death, as in life, Boris Vladimirovich Ostanin remains a luminary in the world of Russian literature.