The Passing of Two Titans

I’d like to take a moment to recognize the loss of two literary titans who made their transitions within days of each other. I’m speaking of world renowned poet laureate, writer and activist Maya Angelou. The other was Sam Greenlee, author of the critically acclaimed and highly controversial novel, The Spook Who Sat by The Door. The two of them contributed so much to the world and to the social justice and civil rights movements that words cannot begin to express the sorrow of their passing. As we mourn, let’s take some time to remember their contributions to literature and to the world.

Much has been written about Dr. Angelou’s passing and what her poetry and books have meant to the world. I, myself, am not a fan of poetry and Dr. Angelou’s was no exception although I do like the poem Phenomenal Woman. I was also deeply moved by the first volume of her autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. This book spoke to me in ways literal and lyrical.

Less has been written about Sam Greenlee yet his work is as significant as that of Dr. Angelou. The Spook Who Say by the Door was published in 1969 and promptly became a work of importance due to its subject matter and unapologetic skewering of the government and in particular, the CIA.

Spook tells the story of the first Black man recruited to become a CIA agent for political reasons. The CIA in unaware that Dan Freeman, the man declared to be a model Negro, is a Black nationalist who becomes first rate agent and after enough time has passed, recruits young Black men in inner city Chicago to become Freedom Fighters. He trains his recruit in all the guerilla tactics he learned in the CIA. Eventually he and the Freedom Fighters initiate attack teams in 12 cities across America. This revolutionary work became notorious as it marked an era that had seen the victories of the Civil Rights era coupled with the assassinations of both Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Bobby Kennedy.

The film based on the book was released in 1973 directed by former Hogan Heroes actor Ivan Dixon and co-produced by Dixon and Greenlee with a screenplay written by Greenlee and Mel Gray. Although the film was critically praised, it was abruptly pulled from movie theaters across America because of its political message. For years the film was available only on bootleg video. The negative was stored in a vault under another name. Actor/producer/director Tim Reid helped to release the film on DVD in 2004. In 2012 the film was added to the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress. Films named to the registry are considered to be movies that capture American culture, history and social fabric to be preserved for future generations. A documentary about the making of the film entitled Infiltrating Hollywood: The Rise and Fall of the Spook Who Sat by the Door was made in 2011 and featured Greenlee and others involved in the making of the film. The novel and the film continues to inspire new generations of activists and the story it tells are as prescient today as it was 45 years ago.

Obviously Greenlee’s work made quite an impact on me. I’ve read the book and even saw the movie when it was originally released. However having a chance encounter spending the better part of a June afternoon with the author had an even greater impact on me.

Several years ago on a warm Saturday in June, a slight older man approached me as I sat working a table at the Printers Row Book Fair. He asked if he could have a seat at the table and rest a bit. Of course, I instantly said yes. He inquired politely about who I was representing at the table. I explained I was a member of the National Writers Union, the only trade union for freelance writers in America and that we had a table at the fair every year reaching out to freelance writers of all genres regarding issues related to the publishing industry. We briefly discussed the union and then he introduced himself. It took a moment for me to recognize his name but before he could tell he’d written Spook, I remembered who he was and what a great book Spook was. He was flattered that I’d read the book and seen the movie. I was able to tell him how much the book and film meant to me as a teenager living in the racially torn city of Chicago and what it continues to mean to me as an adult still living in the racially divided city of Chicago.

From that moment throughout most of the afternoon, I had the pleasure of discussing Chicago, racism, politics, the government and a myriad of subjects with the man whose work I held in high regard. Never would I have imagined this slightly bent older gentleman with a well worn leather case was the man who expressed thoughts I could barely articulate. I was in wide eyed awe.

Our afternoon came to an end when Mr. Greenlee thanked me for allowing him to rest at my table. I could barely find the words to thank him for giving me the gift of his insights, his wisdom and his time. It’s rare that one has the opportunity to meet an idol. It’s even rarer to meet a visionary. I had a glorious afternoon when I had the chance doing both. Before we said goodbye, I purchased a copy of the DVD from him and he graciously signed the cover.

Now when the first Saturday in June comes around, I think back on that afternoon spent with a quiet man who lived on the south side of Chicago. And I reflect on one of the best moments of my life.

Thank you, Dr. Angelou, for the gift of your words. And thank you, Mr. Greenlee, for the gift of your activism. Our lives are better for the way you touched us.