Hello, everyone!
OK, I'd say that Uppity-Negro is 95% restored to its new host; there are still some pre-Movable Type entries--which were separate HTML files--that haven't yet been uploaded. This is its second new host in as many months--and I will share that sad, frustrating tale another time.
Meanwhile, Aaron lives! The parent of a friend donated money in Aaron's name to the Homewood Library. The librarian overseeing the donation read the entire Uppity-Negro blog--bless her heart!--and decided upon two books for the collection in Aaron's memory. So if you ever go to the Homewood Library, you'll see the bookplate, "In Memory of Aaron Hawkins," in these two books:
The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah
Birth of a Nation: A Comic Novel by Aaron McGruder, Reginald Hudlin, and Kyle Baker
There was actually a brief ceremony at the Homewood Library when these books were added to the collection--but we missed it (!) because we never got the letter from the Homewood Library telling us about it, agh! The only reason we found out anything is because I happened to spot the article in the newsletter (see below). We gasped first, of course, and then called the library and found out the whole story. And then we went to the library and saw the bookplate in Birth of a Nation: A Comic Novel--which is really an absolutely perfect addition, as some people confused Aaron with McGruder anyway, thanks to the same name and similar... sensibilities, shall we say--? Thank you, Homewood Library and librarians--and thank you, Mrs. S., for the donation!
See page four of the four-page Fall 2005 issue of the Homewood Library Novel News newsletter (as an Adobe Reader PDF file) at:
http://www.homewoodlibrary.org/nn2005fa.pdf
(excerpt)
HONARARIUMS AND MEMORIALS
THE PERFECT GIFT
Have you ever worried about finding that special gift to fit an important occasion such as an anniversary, birth or
bereavement? A donation made to the Library not only honors those you wish to remember, but also can be shared by the entire community. Books or other materials selected for commemorative gifts receive a book plate with suitable inscription. The honoree or family is invited to come in and view the item. If you would like to give a gift that will be used as well as appreciated, please consider a donation to the Library. Donations of any size are welcome. The librarians will be happy to discuss your ideas with you.
Recent Honorariums and Memorials:
In Memory of Aaron Hawkins
The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah
Birth of a Nation: A Comic Novel by Aaron McGruder, Reginald Hudlin, and Kyle Baker