What could be more inspirational than a mother irked? Two
of them, of course. Especially when the target is the elder senator from North Carolina, dedicated homophobe Jesse Helms.
"Keep Singing" is an earnest account, more reportorial than
literary, of how Patsy Clarke and Eloise Vaughn evolved from gentle Southern grandmothers into fierce, unlikely activists after the deaths of their sons, both named Mark, to AIDS. Clarke, whose late husband had worked for
Helms's
election through the 1980s, was distraught and dismayed by the callous
letter she received from the jowly, spiteful politician when she wrote
him
about her son's death. She channeled her anger into action after she met Vaughn, by forming MAJIC -- Mothers Against Jesse in Congress -- in 1995. The organization caught fire and grew, raised money to film a campaign
commercial, was featured in People, and sent speakers around the state.
Alas, their efforts were for naught. Helms was re-elected in 1996, and both women, now well into their 70s, say they need to step back, with the hope that others, younger, will carry on their fight in 2002. Their book should certainly inspire others, and its release date, just a few months before
the North Carolina primary campaign kicks in, is timely.
-- Richard Labonté
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