John Brown Invited to "The Cookout" by Journalist Touré

So, the journalist Touré writes in The Grio (Apr. 19) that John Brown is one of thirteen "white folks" who get invited to "The Cookout." Why he chose thirteen is unclear, except perhaps he could not get his list narrowed down to the conventional ten names.  At any rate, Touré even places the Old Man as No. 1 on the invitation list.  That's the upside.

The downside is that John Brown is on a list with coaches, musicians, Prince Harry, and Bill Clinton.  Really, Touré, is that the best you could do?

So, how would I parse this story?

Well, on one hand, it's kind of sad that a short list of so-called whites that might be invited to the quintessential African American "Cookout" is more cultural and contemporary than historically substantive. To his credit, I suppose Touré is only greasing the palm that feeds him because he knows that his readership is more geared to the contemporary, and so he's playing that game. But imagine if, in a couple hundred years, someone were to read this list and take it as a real social and political gauge of what it meant to be a good "ally" in the struggle for justice--well, it leaves a lot to be desired.

On the other hand, I'm impressed that even in a generation that tends to forget the past and revel in celebrity culture, John Brown still manages to get noticed and get his invitation in the mail.  I must be honest: it's even a bit surprising to me because the cues as of late have been quite otherwise.  The black history calendar by Ebony Magazine, which has notations for every day of the year, completely overlooked the Old Man, acknowledging neither his birthday (May 9) or his date of execution (Dec. 2)--two dates that African Americans in previous generations would never have overlooked.  I just figured that's the process of time and change and that Brown is now a dusty figure in the attic of black memory.  But I guess I was being pessimistic. 

So, Captain Brown (as black people in the 19th century referred to him), have a great time at "The Cookout."  You're still one in a million.