Silas Lapham
@silaslapham
Fulbrighter, American, African American, Southern literature. medium.com/@interminablerambling [Opinions are my own]
Took an eight mile hike today around Auvers-Sur-Oise and visited Vincent and Theo’s graves.
As Lillian Smith put it back in 1949 too in Killers of the Dream. interminablerambling.medium.com/the-importan...
Paxton's book, which came out in 2004 (if I recall) prescient as ever. I'm in Paris today, and all of that crosses my mind right now. I'd add reading Aimé Césaire today too.
Well, the morning here felt nice. Saw the air show, but didn’t chance crowds at parade.
Yesterday, visited Église Saint-Germain-des-Prés. When I first visited Paris in 2019, I went to Les Deux Magots, where James Baldwin wrote, and I didn't realize that the oldest church in Paris, dating back to the 550s, was right across the street. @esglaude.bsky.social @blacktopkid.bsky.social 1/
I just finished Albert Camus' "The Plague," an allegory of the Nazi occupation of France and fascism. Dr. Rieux's last words to the reader really hit home right now.
Side note, I got a dog fix yesterday at a cafe where I was eating with some expats. One brought along Mish Mish, and she sat next to me and let me pet on her for the entire duration of the meal. Was so happy! @weratedogs.com
I went to Montparnasse Cemetery today and found Alfred Dreyfus’ and Chäim Soutine’s graves, along with some others.
One of the reasons I love Paris is I discover new artists. I had never heard of Chäim Soutine before. He was part of the early twentieth century movements and died during Nazi occupation in 1943. His work reminds me so much of Nikolai Astrup.
Watching @lastweektonight.com recent on voting rights & redistricting & reminded of this quote from MLK about whites & the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Jeff Landry needs to read more King, but doubt that'll happen. interminablerambling.medium.com/martin-luthe...
Today was pretty chill, but did go see organist Baptiste-Florian Marle-Ouvrard perform at Église Saint-Eustache de Paris. They have organ concerts all over the city, it appears, on Sunday nights and at other times. Some, like this one, are free.
Speaking of. Sitting in France with Norwegians and just enjoying the . . . obstructed view. 😂
At Gibert, and look who I see on the wall and on the shelf. @blacktopkid.bsky.social
Today, went to Montmarte to see the Sacre Coeur and some street art.
Didn’t plan to go into Notre Dame today, but when the line is short, couldn’t pass it up.
I picked up The Olive Tree zine in Belfast a few weeks ago, and it epitomizes the collaborative nature of art and protest within its pages. interminablerambling.medium.com/if-we-must-l...
Bergen has a brother now. Meet Mico! A family was moving and couldn’t take their dogs with them so we adopted Mico. He’s a good boy, but Bergen has been a little apprehensive, since he’s been an only dog for six years. They get along ok because they give each other space. He’ll warm up to Mico.
Instead of watching those fights on the lawn tonight, I think I may reread Chuck Brown and Prenzy’s “On the Stump” where politicians settle elections and legislation through brutal fights on the stump. @julianchambliss.bsky.social @walterdgreason.bsky.social
Finally started Aimé Césaire’s “Discourse on Colonialism.” Nuff said.
When I was in Belfast, the only books I bought, apart from Gertrude Stein’s “Paris, France,” were connected with Belfast and/or Northern Ireland. I just finished Jan Carson’s “The Fire Starters,” which is excellent, and started Wendy Erskine’s “The Benefactors.”
So far, our study travel trip to Northern Ireland has not disappointed.
Yep, born and raised in LA, moved away though. Reminds me of this from Lillian Smith. interminablerambling.medium.com/christianity...