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Reply To: | AAM (African Association of Madison) |
Date: | Mon, 28 Feb 2005 11:59:27 -0600 |
Content-Type: | text/plain |
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** Please visit our website: http://www.africanassociation.org **
It is with a great deal of sadness that I heard today of the passing of
Eugene Parks. I credit my own personal political involvement to Eugene
as he caught my attention as a young girl both as a public figure, but
also as a name I heard my parents speak of often growing up. When I got
older, he became the bar that I measured myself against - I know for
some that sounds strange - but I always appreciated his honesty in
addressing issues - even if I didn't like the delivery. So I tried to
balance myself using him as the standard. If I could say what Eugene
said (which I usually agreed with) and still have people's attention
then I knew I was doing a good job.
I've had lots of interaction with Eugene, as a young person trying to
sneak into Mr. P's and being dismissed because he knew both of my
parents or as an adult working for the Mayor and being told that he
wouldn't hire me if he was Mayor because I wore a toe ring. I took all
his words in stride and knew that he was telling me things the way they
were and it wasn't personal as much as it was his job to be a
truth-teller.
My own kids have Eugene Parks memories and will similary be affected by
his passing, which lets me know that it is about what you do on this
Earth that people will remember - that you can't be afraid to be
controversial and it is okay to stand on something.
Having recently come to terms with the passing of my father in December
- I have similar feelings when I think of Eugene and I reaffirm that it
is incumbant upon each of us to have our own opinions, but more
importantly to know what we're talking about. I know that Euguene did
his homework when he spoke and he had experience to back up his words.
Which is why he was someone I greatly admired.
Much respect to Eugene's family and friends.
Sincerely,
Hedi Rudd
Hedi Rudd
Equal Opportunity Analyst
Affirmative Action Department
Madison Municipal Bldg., Suite 130
215 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd
Madison, WI 53701-1626
608-266-6511 Phone
608-267-1142 Fax
http://www.ci.madison.wi.us/affact/AAIndex.html
"To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong."
Joseph Chilton Pearce
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