Michael was a dear friend and colleague. I have many, many wonderful memories of him. I loved his sense of humor and really appreciated his kindness towards others. He lived a full life and had so many interests, including good music, food & wine! He was so willing to share his expertise and was always open to collaboration. I met him when I was on a Fulbright and on sabbatical in Oaxaca a few years ago. Michael and Angeles immediately invited me to participate in several projects, and we have continued to collaborate since then. Michael was so selfless, always giving without expecting much in return. He was also a great networker – he loved to connect people! And he was great with kids – my younger son, a pre-adolescent at the time, was always in awe of Michael and loved all his funny stories!
We will miss him dearly…
Maria Dantas-Whitney
Michael Higgins passed away suddenly on February 2 in Brazil. This blog shares memories of Michael. We will compile a book for Michael's wife Angeles, his children Siobhan and Tristan and his family. ----- Michael Higgins dejo de existir repentinamente el 2 de febrero en Brasil. Este blog es para compartir sus recuerdos para crear un libro de historias para Ángeles y sus hijos Siobhan y Tristan, y su familia--María Dantas-Whitney (dantaswhitney@gmail.com) y Marta Rees (mwrees@gmail.com)
31 comments:
I first met Michael and Angeles in a funny situation: I was presenting a paper on the Zapatista movement at the AILA (International Applied Linguistics Association) Convention in Singapore in 2002, and, even though I thought the topic of my paper would attract a nice crowd, (who wouldn't be thrilled to listen to a paper on the Zapatista movement :)) my audience consisted of two people: Michael and Angeles, with whom I, of course made instant friends! In retrospect, it's difficult to understand why the thought would ever cross my mind as to why any of the 2000 people at the convention might be interested in my paper. After all, about 70% of the presentations were about how Japanese students acquire x or y structure of English!In any event, we had a good time in Singapore, and even though we didn't see much of each other, there was a distinct and strong mutual sympathy and we were always looking forward to undertaking different joint projects. I had the honor of presenting the Performing English with a Postcolonial Accent book that A and M published in 2008. I also was grateful that they would organize talks for my professor in Oaxaca.And, I was so looking forward to seeing them in Oaxaca in June in the Bilingüismo en América Latinoamérica Symposium that Angeles, among others, were organizing.I feel I had known Michael for much longer than I actually had, and enjoyed all the times we spent together. The humor, the hospitality, the creativity, the interest and commitment with social movements, are all amazing qualities that Michael displayed. I find it very difficult to accept the piece of news I received in the mail today, and my heart and thoughts go to Angeles, and all those of his family and friends.
I met Michael in Oaxaca in 1999. He was recently retired and still splitting time between Colorado and Oaxaca. I had also just returned to Oaxaca and began the MA program that Angeles had started, and had hired Michael to teach a qualitative methods class. His approach to teaching, both as a story-teller and someone who connects his work to social issues, grabbed my academic interest and my imagination. He has had a profound impact on my academic life: the kinds of questions to ask, the kinds of stories to tell.
He was also a good friend. To me and Alba and he was “Tío”, the cool funny hipster uncle. He was generous and kind – he happily let me stay at his house on my frequent trips back to Oaxaca while I was working on my degree. He listened and gave good advice when I was going through some rough times.
Descansa en paz Tío. We love you and miss you already.
I am so so sad to hear this news.
Ages ago I was at a conference (BAAL) and gave a paper on home ethnography
A quiet man came up to me at the end, and said he would stay in touch....
I didnt realise that he would and his words
became part of my daily life, uplifting, radical and so focused on things I cared about.
He gave me the courage to carry on doing ethnography with marginalised groups and to care about social issues with more than an academic's interests.
I am very very sad to hear this news and do send special thoughts to grieving friends and relations.
Michael James Higgins
I must have first met you at a LASA or some such meeting in Indianapolis or Cincinnati—early 1980s. Then I remember in 1982 just before I got married. You always talked the straight talk and I loved it from the beginning.
You told me about Oscar Lewis. I reconstructed and revived Lewis after talking to you—not the culture of poverty, but an old Stalinist. Reading him right, you see he’s talking about poverty, structural poverty, and not blaming the victims.
You turned me on to Zaretsky, to many other writers.
You taught me to use rock n roll in my classes—anthropology….. You deconstructed thick texts in a few words—you ate them for breakfast seemingly. I was always so impressed at your brain power. My first trip to Oaxaca—you introduced me to Guadalupe, to Cecil Welte, to Oaxaca. At dark moments in my life, you’d get up and walk to the phone on the corner and give me a call to see how I was doing. I wish I could do that for you. How’re you doing Michael?
You introduced me to all the ordinary diverse people in Oaxaca. We held your retirement party in Oaxaca with all your friends. One of the best parties ever. I’m so glad you retired at 55, my friend.
When you met Angeles, I said,' I thought you said you didn’t want to get into a relationship?' You said, ‘she shows me places in myself I didn’t even know were there.’ Wow.
When you all came through Atlanta last year, I pulled you aside to ask your advice, I knew you’d give me the straight answer, as always. Your advice (spot on), 'if you don’t feel comfortable, don’t do it.'
Just last week, I told you to be sure to do exercises with your cast on because your muscles would atrophy. You said thanks.
Thanks, Michael.
Michael Higgins [http://cpls.educ.ubc.ca/content/michael.html]
University of North Colorado, Professor Emeritus
Research Interests
Anthropology; Urban Studies; Modernization; Gender/Sexuality/Ethnicity; Applied Linguistics; Urban Social Struggles and Social Class; Language Studies. Michael has worked with young students at the state university in order to explore how they perform English in the multicultural and multilingual context of Oaxaca. One of the future domains of research involves students’ location in the overlapping social fields of learning cultures, communities of practices, and imagined communities.
Education
Ph.D. University of Illinois, USA, 1973
B.A. Colorado State College, USA, 1968
Awards/Honors
Fullbright Grant, Mexico, 2003
Senior Fulbright, Specialist Scholar, Mexico, 2003
Scholar of the Year, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, USA, 2000
Educator of the Year, Greeley Gay and Lesbian Alliance. University of Northern Colorado, USA, 2000
Wenner-Gren Grant, USA, 1988
Teaching Fulbright, Mexico, 1983
Professional Service
Associate Professor, University of North Colorado, USA, 1972-2001
Visiting Fulbright Scholar, Institute of Sociology, Universidad Autonoma Benito Juarez de Oaxaca, Mexico, 1983
Publications
Higgins, M. & Clemente, A. (2008). Performing English with Post-Colonial Accent: Ethnographic Narratives from Mexico. London: Tufnell Press.
Higgins, M. & Coen, T. (2008). Streets, Bedrooms and Patios: The Ordinariness of Diversity in Urban Oaxaca. Austin: University of Texas Press.
Higgins, M. & Clemente, A. (2005). Whose English is it Anyway: Language, Culture and Identity. In Papeles de Trabajo sobre Cultura, Educación y Desarrollo Humano (Working papers on Culture, Education and Human Development. (http://www.es/ptcedh) Departamento Interfacultativo de Psicología Evolutiva y de la Educación, (Interdisciplinary Department of Evolutive Psychology and Education) Universidad Autónoma de Madrid.
Clemente, A. & Higgins, M. (2003). The Production of Learning Cultures: The Interface between Applied Linguistics and Anthropology, Proceedings from Congreso de Lingüística Aplicada,3-5 May 2003, Mexico D.F.: CELE-UNAM.
Higgins, M. (1997). Somos Tocayos: La Antropología de Urbanismo y Pobreza. (We share the same name: Anthropology of urbanism and poverty). The Cultural Institute of the State of Oaxaca: Oaxaca.
Higgins, M. & Coen (1994). Can there be a Post-Modern/Multicultural Revolutionary Consciousness?" Journal of the High Plains Society of Applied Anthropology 8 (Spring): 3s-44.
Higgins, M. & Coen, T. (1992). Oigame! Oigame! Struggle and Social Change in a Nicaraguan Urban Community. Boulder, Colorado: WestviewPress.
Higgins, M. (1990). Martyrs and Saints. In Popular Religion in Mexico and Central America, Edited by Dow and Stephens, 187-2006. SLAA Publication Series, vol. 10. Washington, D.C.: Society for Latin American Anthropology.
Higgins, M. (1988). Portraits of Urban Poor Women in Oaxaca, in Mujeres de Oaxaca (Women from Oaxaca). Dalton and Musalem (eds.) State Gov. Publications, Oaxaca, Oaxaca.
Higgins, M. (1986). Quienes Son Los Migrantes al Teatro Urbano del Valle de Oaxaca (Who are the immigrants to the Urban Theatre of the Oaxacan Valley), in Ethnicidad y Pluralismo Étnico en Oaxaca (Ethnicity and ethnic pluralism in Oaxaca). Barabas and Bortolome (eds.), Colección Regiones de México, México.
Higgins, M. (1986). Care, Culture, and Praxis, in Care: A Transcultural Approach. M. Leininger (ed.), Charles B. Slack, Inc.: Utah.
Higgins, M. (1974). Somos Gente Humilde (We are humble people). D.F. México: Instituto Nacional Indigenista.
Higgins, M. & Clemente, A. (In press). Is sex safer in Spanish or English, in Applied Linguistics in the Field: Local Knowledge and HIV/AIDS, Editors: C. Higgins & B. Norton. London: Multilingual Matters
Alba, María y Diana:
Lamento muchisimo el fallecimiento de Michael aquien varios de nosotros conocimos en el simposio de Buenos Aires y que con tanto entusiasmo nos instó a continuar trabajando para volver a encontrarnos pronto.
Con cariño mis saludos para todos/as
Stella García
My daughter, Liliana, who has spent half her life knowing Michael in one place or another, just came by my office. I had a bit of Havana Club left in a bottle that a student brought me years ago. Lili and I finished it off, toasting Michael in as transgressive a way as we could: drinking smuggled rum midday. Hasta la victoria, siempre, Michael: P R E S E N T E! Matt, Liliana, Maya, Cathy, and Michelle
I was introduced to Michael at an applied linguistics conference in Bath. I got to know him better in a small conference that Angeles organized with Pennycook in Oaxaca. We all had lunch together and there was a lively and interesting conversation. There was always one when you were with Michael. He knew so much and had a great sense of humor. Angeles and he were invited to our conferences, gave us workshops and worked on a university grant with us. As we say in Iowa, he will "sorely be missed" and we shall remember him fondly. He lived and loved Mexico.
Martha Lengeling
Conocí a Michael y a Angeles en una conferencia en Oxford en el 2008. Nuestro primer momento de trabajo y placer fue una cena thailandesa en esa ciudad, que dejo sellada nuestra amistad. Hasta siempre, Michael.Diana Milstein
Michael was an inspiration to us all – not only in his academic work but also as a human being. I always looked up to him for his insights, values and goals – to really make the world a better place. I always considered him to be kind, gentle, reflective, encouraging and truly interested in other people. He always seemed to listen with patience and care. I shall truly miss him.
Conocí a Michael como una persona de gran sensibilidad y compromiso. En Buenos Aires, durante 2009 y 20911, junto a su gran compañera Ángeles, compartimos gratos momentos, gustos comunes y algún proyecto. Tengo el recuerdo de hace apenas unos días, de nuestras conversaciones sobre tango, jazz, Billie Holiday y el buen vino. Adiós al amigo. Hasta siempre al compañero. Hector Mendes
Conheci Michael e Angeles pessoalmente faz pouco tempo. E foi "friendship at first sight". Eles tinham lido um trabalho meu em Florianópilis e me contataram no Rio. A seguir, ele bondosamente me enviou varios trabalhos seus e pude ver como tínhamos interesses comuns. Quando estive rapidamente em Florianópolis, nossa conversa foi muito afetuosa e combinamos de nos encontrar novamente. As trocas de emails o faziam presente em minha casa quase todo dia. Tinhamos planos de nos encontrar novamente nesse ano. Admirava e admiro sua generosidade e sua preocupação em fazer da pesquisa um modo de procurar uma vida melhor para todos. Onde quer que vc esteja, meu abraço e minha saudade, Micahel.
Michael
Recuerdo hace muchos años (¿30 años quizá?) la risa de Michael cuando llegaba a casa de mis papás y recuerdo los comentarios: viene Michael, solo? NO!! siempre llegaba con un grupo diversísimo de personajes (estudiantes suyos o transvestis o gente que se encontraba en el Zócalo y les convidaba a asistir a una fiesta) siempre era interesante ver quién lo acompañaba.
Los Años Nuevos en los que él estaba siempre eran fiestas memorables.
Su actitud invariablemente era alegre, amistosa y abierta.
Le perdí la pista hasta hace unos años que regresé a Oaxaca y nos vimos en casa de mi madre, acompañado de Ángeles, se veía en una nueva etapa de la vida. Mostraban tranquilidad, amor y esos sentimientos que las personas que se aman en paz pueden transmitir. Me dió mucho gusto y siempre fué agradable ir a alguna comida en su casa.
La risa de Michael era algo singular, su sensibilidad y solidaridad hacia sus semejantes algo digno de imitar.
¡La lucha sigue sigue! ¡Michael vive vive!
Angeles, estamos contigo.
Lamentamos mucho la noticia sobre el fallecimiento de Michael y mandamos un fuerte y afectuoso abrazo.
Mónica Maldonado y Guadalupe Molina
Lamento mucho la noticia, mi solidaridad y mi corazón estan con ustedes a pesar de la distancia.
Un gran abrazo
Olga Marcela Cruz Montalvo
Historiadora Universidad Nacional de Colombia
Magíster en Antropología Universidad de los Andes
I’m still in shock—still trying to accept that Michael is gone. It seems impossible. He had this “eternal” quality about him, a lighthearted yet far-reaching wisdom that I latched onto immediately when I first met him several years ago in Oaxaca. I loved talking with Michael. I always learned–and laughed--a lot. That infectious laugh of his! How could anyone resist it? I found that we shared an appreciation for the blues and early jazz., and he introduced me to some wonderful music, film and art. The breadth and depth of his interests and expertise always amazed me, but I see now that this was another reflection of what made Michael so special--his humanity. He was more than an anthropologist, I think; he was an anthro-phile. His love for the human race was all-inclusive and unconditional. This is what I will remember most clearly about him and miss the most now that he is gone. I am truly grateful to have had the privilege to know him.
I first met Michael at a Triple-A meeting, I think in 1989 or 1990; I can't remember what city it was in. We shared an interest in Nicaragua, and struck up a fast friendship. Later, in the mid-90s, Michael reintroduced me to Mexico (a country I hadn't seen in 10 years): he hosted Sammy and me for a winter break week-long visit. He was a generous host and a vivid interlocutor, sharing insights, informants, social networks, food, and more.
Michael was -- and it seems all too weird to use the past tense here -- the only person I've ever known who could put on a pair of those white, cotton, one-size-fits-all pants they used to sell in Oaxaca and walk down the street and pull it off.
He had a wicked sense of humor, an uncanny way of identifying his own and other people's foibles -- but I can't remember him ever having an unkind word to say about anyone.
He kept abreast theoretical trends in the field -- always looking for fresh insights into the empirical world of everyday culture. And even if he disagreed with your take on this or that, he always found ways to be civil, to engage in productive dialogue.
Michael was equally at ease with scholars, peasants, establishment politicians, angry protesters, the urban poor, gay men, transvestite prostitutes, Jehovah's Witnesses, and various overlapping types of people whose lives make up a mosaic of quotidian differences.
He never stopped working, never stopped playing, never stopped having new projects, never stopped learning, never stopped listening to music, and never stopped loving.
I never had a boring conversation, a bad meal, or an uncomfortable moment with him. I'm going to miss him -- a lot. My condolences to Angeles and family members.
Dearest, dearest father,
I know you know how much I love you and I know your love for me. You lived your life right. You are a righteous dude. You set an example. You love us unconditionally. You told us we could do anything. You set that example in yourself.
I'm so sad that you're gone and I miss you terribly. I know you would say que sabe or whatever, basically you would say that we all kick the bucket one day and I'm grateful to be mourning you instead of you mourning me.
Your greatest of many great gifts that you gave me is our family. I'm so grateful that you and Angeles found each other and that I gained three wonderful sisters from the union. I'm grateful for my brother, Tabby, Alianna and Arwyn. I'm grateful for Uncle Ed, Aunt Mary Etta, Cousin Philip, Katrina, Maddie, Lucy, Uncle Frank, Aunt Sharon, Kelly and Richie.
You were an unconventional dad. Between you, my mom and Chris, you guys dragged us all over the world. Tristan was even born out of the country although Oaxaca can hardly be considered foreign.
My heart is heavy and I hope that somehow you can continue to give me fantastic advice from the afterlife. I think of you and 'Lupe dancing together in the afterlife, hardly even aware of our grief. But I know you are concerned for Angeles and we will do our best to shepard her through this very deep valley.
We are so proud of you and the way you lived your life. You were such a good man, an honorable man who loved. You loved people and you loved life. I remember talking to you about depression and you told me that when you had bouts of sadness that eventually being sad would become too boring and you would go back to being happy.
Thank you for all that you did. You introduced me to sushi and NWA. There was always music playing in our home and your office at UNC was plastered with Marvin Gaye posters. You were so accepting of everyone and encouraged people to be as they are.
I want to be a better person because of you. I know you love me and are proud of me but I'm going to be even better. I promise to stop being petty to my brother and Tabby. And, in honor of your memory, I will be as loving and compassionate as you were to all.
I'm so grateful to have had you in my life - to have been borne to you. I know that God loves me because you were chosen as my dad. I'm honored to carry your genes in my body.
I will miss you but try not to be mopey and to live my life by your example - exploring new cultures, expanding minds, laughing, dancing, listening to great music, eating fabulous meals with people I love - being present, aware and unafraid.
My dearest, beloved father, I love you so much.
Siobahn Higgins
Michael was my professor. He didn't seem like a teacher at all. More like a lunatic who had taken over the identity of the real teacher. We waited for the men in white coats to cart him off, but they never did. He made bold statements about us and our world and we protested vehemently. No matter, he had us over a barrel. It wasn't a fair fight.
I was Michael's teaching assistant. He brought in a big black ghetto blaster, pressed play and left the room. Fifty students sat as Jimi Hendrix guitar moaned and raged a star spangled banner. It's a long song and after a while it really weird. Just feedback and confusion. But we all sat there like zombies. I bet Jimi would have gotten a real kick out of that. I know Michael did, but he never let on.
Michael was my mentor. I was a gen-x misfit who wanted nothing less than a role model. I wanted to rebel. And he was a rebel. I couldn't figure out how he had slipped through the cracks. He was smart and I was in awe. It took me a long time to figure out why he liked me, but I knew right away why I liked him: he was an adult that was actually cool. And he really was cool.
Now I'm a teacher and I'm pretty sure my student's are waiting for the men in white coats to cart me off too. Michael, you may not have been the right model for everybody, but you were for me. Thank you.
James Kimberling
Mucha Fuerza en este momento Angeles
Te mando toda mi energía que sé comparte el grupo, entonces se multiplica la ayuda si es que lo es
Un gran abrazo
Alejandra Otaso
I met Michael and Angeles in Canterbury and I immediately knew they were not only cool but happy people and because of that they were a happy couple. I didn't need to spend much time with him to become aware of his intelligence and knowledge, but most of all of his kindness and sense of humour.
Querida Angeles, sin poder decir mas nada, te envio un cariñosisimo y solidario abrazo que sea como un bálsamo para estos tiempos de reflexion y dolor. Y hago extensiva mi solidaridad y afecto para toda la familia y los seres cercanos a nuestro querido Michael!!!
Edith Herrera Diaz!!
Michael J. Higgins you are missed.
It is rare that you find someone during your lifetime who has the ability to inspire you with out ever meeting you. Michael Higgins is that inspiration for me. I only knew of him as a professor at the University of Northern during the early 1990's. I never had the honor of taking any of his class's. Fortunately for me ten years after college I found my wife, who did have this honor. I can listen to the stories she tells of her time in Oaxaca working with the "Queen's" over and over.
Thank you for inspiring my wife, which in turn has inspired me and our children. You are truly missed.
Peace,
Kian Kavanaugh
Michael’s exit left the world a little dimmer. He wasn’t merely cheerful, he radiated cheer, sharing it with everyone.
His wit, intelligence, and unfailing courtesy and engagement with everyone with whom he came in contact will be remembered by all who knew him. His social and political consciousness was ethical and admirable, part of his decent and kind nature. But most of all, what I remember and salute is the beautifully detached humor in the way he viewed the world. All the petty stuff that grinds on the rest of us, Michael regarded as exactly that – petty, and somewhat amusing.
Michael always reminded me of a piece of graffiti I once read – “Angels can fly because they take themselves so lightly.” And truly, Michael did seem to float above the grubby gravity that keeps most of us too close to the ground. Thanks for that, Michael, and for the privilege of knowing you.
Conocí a un hombre maravilloso que siempre quería probar comidas del mundo e incluso cocinarlas, de caminar relajado, cargaba collares de sus viajes y brazaletes de plata, siempre abierto a escuchar las historias de la gente, incluso las del cuarto, luego las escribía mostrando el corazón, un hombre pulsión de vida, ejemplo de gozo y de amor. Su nombre era Michael Higgins.
Te extrañaremos, Michael, en tu honor tomaremos una buena copa de vino... Salud!
Guadalupe Ángela
Dearest Michael,
Many years ago one summer at my Uncle Stefano Varese's birthday party I met a most wonderful person, that was you Michael. Thank you for your friendship and all your knowledge. I will miss you so much!!!
un abbraccio
Barbara Pini
Hi Rebecca, Erika, Jessie, and Angeles:
I am an old friend of Michael's from the early 1980s. We met in Oaxaca, and I also visited him
in Greeley before he moved to Oaxaca. My friendship with Michael is very connected to my friendship
with Guadalupe Musalem who passed away in 1995, Margarita Dalton, and Julia Barco. I lived in Oaxaca from 1985 – 1987 and had great times with all of them and Michael here. We went to Puerto Escondido together at least three times. One time we couldn’t get on the bus back home and Guadalupe had to be back to about five of us split a taxi right back and we took turns sitting on each other’s laps. I remember Michael joking with us all the way back on a very uncomfortable ride. Before we had been riding down
an estuary on innertubes into the Ocean. I was afraid, but Michael encouraged us all to do it and we did.
Another very strong memory I have is of making a trip to Juchitan to mark the first anniversary of Lupe’s death in 1996. Michael and I hung out and he was a great comfort and wonderful friend to be with during that time. He helped me relax, grief, and was just a great companion.
I usually saw him during the summers in Oaxaca after I had my kids. We had a few marvelous visits to Etla. The one I remember most vividly and my kids was in 2006 when the streets were all blocked. We had to drive along the river and then a lot of backroads until we were out of town. My older son was impressed by Michael’s knowledge of reggae, reggaeton and other music. My youngest love his laugh.
Michael took me seriously as a graduate student, was an intellectual and personal friend for 25 years.
We didn’t see each other as much in the past few years, but always at least once when I was in Oaxaca.
He knew how to think, live, love, and was a great gift to me, my children, and all of us. I will miss him terribly and am keeping you all in my heart. And I have to drink a beer and laugh out loud in his honor.
All my love, Lynn Stephen
White hair flowing then punk
Always young
Always fun
A unique laugh
You could not replicate
Sparkling soul and eyes
And how about the part
We didn’t think of yet?
Michael.
Michael was my first Anthropology professor at UNC. Within the first few minutes of Michael's class I knew he was going to be a different and unique professor. What I didn't know is that Michael would be a force of inspiration in my life and become "mi Maestro de Vida". I went to the magical city of Oaxaca with him in 96, while he was working on Beds, Patios, and Streets. Wow! Everyone I met embraced me instantly because Michael had changed their lives and I was a student learning from him. Michael took the time to give me the tools and the connections to integrate myself into the culture. That experience was so powerful that I will always continue to learn from it and Michael will always be a piece of who I am. Michael taught me perspective, compassion, and how to celebrate Latin style! One of my favorite things that Michael used to say was, "societies and individuals need to celebrate commonalities and differences."
I thank you Michael for being so inspiring. And I really thank you for taking care of me when I was violently ill with dysentery (you poor man!). I was so ill I couldn't walk. Michael had to carry me from the car to the doctor. I remember lying in that doctor's room and Michael arguing with him. The only words I could make out were "hospital" and "muerto". Michael grabs the prescriptions from the doctor, picks me up and carries me out the door. He says, "that doctor wants to put you in the hospital. If I do that you'll wake up missing a kidney or something! I'm going to take care of you." And and he did. As my life is now happily filled with preschool and playdough, I thank you Michael for keeping me in the loop and for always staying in touch. Thank you for reminding me to celebrate African American History month. Thank you for all the international food you made and all the great music you would play. Mostly I thank you for believing in me. You set my mind on fire and I am so grateful that I got to be your student and your friend.
To Angeles, Rebeca, Erika, Jessie, Tristan, Siobhan, and Family,
My heart breaks for each of you. I wish there were words I could give but I haven't been able to find any that match the magnitude of your loss. Michael is a great man and I will miss him dearly. I will always be inspired by him. He was a true humanitarian.
Paz y Amor-
Carrie
Oh and Siobhan you are right your dad is a "righteous dude". It's been too long since we last saw each other (I think it was Michael's retirement party in Greeley) but anytime you want to talk about your amazing father, I'm here.
Some of you may remember a Thanksgiving dinner at my house on 5th Street, on the north side of Greeley, when more than 50 people showed up bearing pot-luck dishes. Many of these folks came at Michael's invitation, so it was an amazing array of guests, including Native Americans visiting from a reservation and three nuns from Nigeria who happened to be in town. Since that dinner I often heard from Michael on Thanksgiving. "Remember the dinner with the Nigerian nuns?" he would ask. "Have you topped that one yet?" The special times with Michael will keep him with us. I still miss the Friday afternoon reading groups that he helped organize. I still appreciate him accompanying my friend and me to gay bars in Oaxaca, where he was probably more comfortable than many of the gay people there. I was glad to read his exuberant report of the river trip in Brazil, glad that he made it to his destination. Michael inspired us to forge upstream. The current will seem stronger without him. Paz y amor.
Querido Michael:
Me siento muy afortunada de haber trabajado contigo y con Angeles en el proyecto etnográfico del centro de idiomas de la UABJO (y más de que hayas contado parte de mi historia). Recuerdo mucho la vez que me entrevistaste. Me citaste en el centro de idiomas a la hora del almuerzo, yo imaginaba que estaríamos en un salón de clases, tú preguntando y yo respondiendo y una grabadora entre los dos. Esto no fue así, cuando llegué me invitaste a almorzar en un restaurante cerca de la escuela; gran estrategia Michael porque hablé mucho!! recuerdo que hablé y hablé y reí mucho contigo, lo que no puedo recordar es si grabaste mi entrevista, I really had a good time that day!!.
Personal y profesionalmente aprendí mucho con ustedes, pero lo mejor fue la amistad; siempre disfrute mucho verlos tan felices, sonriendo, llenos de vida y proyectos.
Mañana es 14 de febrero, hace dos años tú y Angeles estuvieron conmigo celebrando mi boda en Oaxaca; muchas gracias por venir y estar presente en etapas importantes de mi vida. Muchas gracias Michael por querer tanto a Oaxaca y a los oaxaqueños. I will miss you a lot
Judith Reyes Hernandez
I was a student of Michael's in the late 90s. He shared powerful information, challenged his students and taught with his heart and mind. I think of him often. Love and Revolution.
I was also one of Michael's students...He made a profound impression on me. I think of him often as a sort of pillar with ideals and expression surrounding him all of it influencing my decisions along side other figures from my life...I am grateful to have know him...thank you
Post a Comment