人妻少妇专区

In Review

I just came across this great old postcard, which reminds me of the days when I arrived on campus. I am tentatively thinking 1953. I first became familiar with the campus in 1952鈥�53. I have spent the last 62 years watching bricks and asphalt replace the green. 鈥擱obert Knox 鈥�58 (PhD ), professor emeritus of physics, Rochester

The first thing is to rule out the obvious: the archives鈥� copy of the card has a 1959 postmark鈥攆ar too late, but it does indicate the long shelf- or drawer-life of postcards. The printing code on the back of the card includes 鈥�53鈥濃�攂ut should we trust that (and where is the fun, if we do)?

The front of the card has all the clues we need. Halfway down the left edge is a red roof: temporary housing for GI Bill veterans was put up in 1946. The extension on the back of Lattimore was added in 1949. Slightly obscured by the trees (and the image quality) is construction on Lovejoy and Hoeing Halls; ground was broken for Lovejoy in April 1952, and both residences opened in September 1953. A story in the Rochester Times-Union on June 23, 1953, noted the removal of the red-roofed 鈥渂arracks.鈥�

Across the campus the autumnal trees stand tall. Behind the tower of Rush Rhees Library, there is no evidence of the groundbreaking for what we today call Susan B. Anthony Hall. (You can hear the speeches at the September 1953 groundbreaking here: http://livinghistory.lib.rochester.edu/womens-center.)

Taking all these points together, it seems possible to conclude that the image was taken in the fall of 1952, just about the time you were arriving to begin your long association with the University.

Nina Simone seems to be enjoying her moment in the spotlight (new biography, two recently released films). I saw the documentary film The Amazing Nina Simone in a local theater and met the filmmaker. I was reminded of Miss Simone鈥檚 concert at the U of R in 1970 or 1971, and an incident that happened during the concert. I want to confirm my memory and to pinpoint the date. An obviously inebriated older man (that is, apparently not a student) began talking loudly during one of her songs. My recollection is that when the audience began to hiss to show its disapproval, Miss Simone鈥攔ather than getting angry (which, as the film documents, she had done in similar situations)鈥攃upped the man鈥檚 chin in her free hand and sang directly to him until he was charmed into silence. Now, 45-plus years later, I鈥檓 wondering how the local newspapers reported the incident. I鈥檇 like to pass the story on to the filmmaker, but want to be sure I have the facts straight.鈥擫eAnn Fields, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Nina Simone performed at the Palestra on February 26, 1971鈥攖he show started hours late, because the opening act, Kool and the Gang, had travel delays. The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reports that Simone 鈥渂egan singing 鈥楤lack Is the Color of My True Love鈥檚 Hair鈥� when one fan kept interrupting her with 鈥楾ell them about the ghetto, Nina.鈥� But Miss Simone appeared to enjoy the 鈥榚xceptionally responsive鈥� audience.鈥�

Gail Wright Sirmans 鈥�72 described the event at greater length in the 人妻少妇专区 Times: 鈥淪he gave us all of herself, which is rare. Miss Simone is a hypersensitive artist and sometimes becomes impatient with her audience . . . 鈥楤lack Is the Color of My True Love鈥� began the performance with vibrating intensity. She held back nothing and let herself drown in a rapturous combination of sound and soul.鈥�

Later in her article Wright describes Simone鈥檚 response to an audience member. 鈥淥ne member of the audience consistently lashed out rude interjections. Maintaining her composure, [Simone] calmly stated, 鈥業f you are so tormented with this place, leave.鈥� While the audience began to show signs of annoyance with the noisemaker, Nina Simone remained intense but unperturbed. 鈥業 know where he is coming from. He鈥檚 okay, he鈥檒l be all right. Let him be.鈥欌��

You and 2,000 other fans definitely had a memorable experience.