Judith Anne Still: 'I have found a speech that my father made to the Allied Arts in Sept. 1955, in which he advocated a boycott of PORGY'

[My Life, My Words: The Autobiography of William Grant Still, American Master Composer; With additional material by Judith Anne Still; The Master-Player Library, Flagstaff, Arizona (2011)]

Judith Anne Still, the daughter of William Grant Still, sends this commentary:

“I have found a speech that my father made to the Allied Arts in Sept. 1955, in which he advocated a boycott of PORGY by audiences, because it portrays Negroes in a stereotypical manner. Boycotts have always worked in the fight for racial justice. He says it is true that Gershwin gives jobs to a good many Colored artists, but Gershwin will cease to be presented if people of color will not come to see and hear him, and 'if a strong enough protest is made by enough well-thinking Colored people, those artists will get other jobs, and better ones.' Further, 'When the people in power know that Colored people as a whole are standing back of those who are truly worthy, they will act accordingly and we will see real progress made.' This is a good point. Not only should Gershwin not be performed by people who believe in racial justice, but also opera goers should not attend performances of his music. As our friend said, 'It is a betrayal of ourselves.'

“I have to add that we have, rather miraculously in the last few days, 3 offers to do the operas of William Grant Still. The coincidence of this, coming as it does on the heels of this discussion, suggests to me that there will be jobs for African-Americans in operas by Still, and very soon. Integrity, strength of purpose, and a concern for truth will be required by all of us.” [Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma has compiled a complete list of the compositions of William Grant Still (1895-1978); it is featured at AfriClassical.com]