My profound and beloved friend, Dorian Bell Amon, died January 24, 2013 following a resurgence of cancer. A quote from Alexander Pushkin, the African-descended Father of Russian Literature, prefaces Amon’s memorial website: “The illusion which exalts us is dearer to us than ten thousand truths.”
Amon and I were united in literary pursuits by Onegin Publishing. Onegin, Pushkin’s masterpiece, was to be the name for my own company, at some vague future date. Amon requested that I let him adopt “Onegin” for his own firm, after I informed him that “Pushkin,” his preferred name, was already a well-established translator.
I was happy for him to take the load off. I would write more books of my own, let go of my illusion for his concretization and trust him with my dream. For that matter, I trusted this Howard University and Washington University Law School-educated ex-U.S. Marine with my life.
Editing Amon’s self-authored manuscript, Spatial Deconcentration, in 2004, I was enthralled by the voice, knowledge base and detailed analysis. A reappraisal of the 1960’s Kerner Commission Report, the manuscript was expertly researched, extensively footnoted. Amon posited that the main intent of the Commission was to prevent further urban rebellions in inner cities.
What amazed me while reading this work were its superlative literary qualities. This was a difficult edit, with some sentences running four lines. However, it was exhaustively thorough, precise and unflinching.
The Commission’s strategy, as outlined in Amon’s exposition, was to disperse inner-city blacks, thus eradicating mass action and political power on the local level.
“In his HUD-sponsored study, (Anthony) Downs argued that the inner cities were hopelessly beyond repair and would be better cleared of services and residents and landbanked,” Amon wrote. “The middle class should then be allowed to repopulate these areas, giving them a breath of new life.”
Published as a pamphlet in 1979 during Amon’s organizing days in Washington, D.C., its attributed author was 22-year-old activist Yulanda Ward, Amon’s researcher, who was murdered there on November 2, 1980 at 2 a.m. by two well-dressed white males. I am committed to Amon’s book, to preserving this legacy for his children.
During the last weeks of his life, Amon argued against the Northside Redevelopment project before the Missouri Supreme Court (decision still pending), after arguing brilliantly the previous year in the lower court. Amon’s stance came out of his work as a housing activist, his closely reading between the lines for nefarious intent in government documents obtained clandestinely by Ms. Ward.
Amon’s work is critical for North St. Louis’ present. The dialogue in our community must involve historical precedent, self-determination and empowerment of current residents. His courage should be the blueprint for asking questions and demanding answers.
Ruth-Miriam Garnett is author of a novel, Laelia (Simon & Schuster 2004). Her most recent book is Concerning Violence, New & Selected Poems (Onegin 2010). A novel, Chloe’s Grief will be published in 2013. For other information, contact LataleWestley@aol.com
