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Coming up for air
Normally, the term "breathtaking" is used to describe something beautiful to behold. But nothing is normal in 2020 and "breathtaking" is taking on a new meaning. Whether it is George Floyd pleading for his life at the knee of a Minneapolis police officer, or a patient suffering the cruelty of COVID-19, breath is being stolen at an alarming rate. News coverage of the pandemic receded this week but, sadly, not for the reasons we would have liked. Instead of getting relief from that illness, we were reminded of another scourge that plagues our country, the chronic condition of racism. Captured on video and replayed for the world to see again and again we heard Mr. Floyd struggle to say “I can't breathe" while a police officer literally crushed the air from his lungs. Maybe the horror we felt at seeing this play out would have been tempered if we'd known it was an anomaly—one rogue cop in Minneapolis. Sadly, we know this isn't the case. Before Mr. Floyd there was Eric Garner, begging for breath in New York. There was Michael Brown in St Louis, and here at home, Freddie Gray. These are just some of the most recent names added to a list of victims, the overwhelming majority of whom we'll never know about. Despite the risks of injury, arrest, and even contracting the coronavirus, people have taken to the streets to have their voices heard. “Say their names,” they chant. But there are too many names. The events of the past several months have often left me speechless. The coronavirus is insidious in leaving its victims gasping for breath—and, yes, a disproportionate number of those affected in this country are Black and LatinX. In the midst of an unprecedented pandemic, we are reminded that racism, racial injustice, and police brutality still cling to the underside of American life. People are hurting and they have been for a long time. It is important to say something—to stand together to condemn the structural racism and inequities that plague this country. Too many opportunities to recognize these problems have come and gone. Every pointless death is a chance to change. I sincerely hope that this time change comes. Breath is precious. It is a gift. It's a resource. And it is power. Let's put it to good use. Let's use our breath to speak up on behalf of those that can't and let's use it to treat each other with the civility and respect that we all deserve.
Stay safe and healthy,
Tracy Jacobs
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Osher member Pat Mulligan and her cat Butter
Hello! Here I am with my 17.5 year old, former stray that I adopted 2.5 years ago from the MDSPCA. Butter loves that I’m quarantined! He’s getting more lap love than ever. I really miss going out to the Osher classes. However, this senior boy keeps me well-occupied! Be safe! Be well!
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Magnificent Magnolias, 16” X 20” watercolor by Osher member Jane Byers
Jane created this house portrait as part of a fundraiser. While working on the painting this spring, Jane observed the blooming of the gorgeous magnolia tree. She included the Neighborhood Little Library and the owner’s two dogs in the painting.
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Thank you for participating in another year with Osher at Towson University! The last few months have been challenging and we appreciate your continued support and patience during these uncertain times. Your commitment and participation in our program make our learning community special.
Now’s the time to renew your membership. The 2020–2021 membership fee will remain at $50 per person. CLICK HERE to access our online membership site. It is recommended to use Google Chrome, Firefox, or Safari when accessing the membership site. We encourage you to renew your membership online but if you prefer to mail your membership to us, please be in touch for more information. Included in your membership is the ability to participate in the 2020 Osher summer program, Zoom Into Summer, at no additional fee; a separate email with details regarding the summer program will be sent to members. Membership also enables participation in book clubs, interest groups, and other lifelong learning opportunities.
As a membership organization, membership fees directly impact our ability to provide excellent programming and an excellent value to our participants. We strive to offer high quality programming and hope you will enjoy continued membership with us.
Please contact Shelby Jones with any questions at sjones@towson.edu.
Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to having you with us in the July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021 membership year! More information about Fall 2020 coming soon!
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Each week we will have a new lecture for you to view. For some lectures, we will have additional resources that will enhance your experience and we will also have some discussion groups that will require signing up ahead of time. The beauty of these on-demand lectures is that you can view them when you want.
Dust Bowl with Rex Rehfeld
If one were asked to pick the most important event of the two decades between the two World Wars, the answer would probably be the crash of 1929 and the ensuing depression or the beginning of World War two. I imagine that few would answer, the “dust bowl.” But the suffering, the deaths, the displacements caused by the dust storms of the 1930s should put it in the same league. What is called the “Dust Bowl” started in 1931 with the beginning of a drought which only ended with the coming of the rains in 1939. However, the dust bowl is not yet over. It is a work in progress. VIEW LECTURE
Rex Rehfeld has a B.S. from the University of California and a J.D. from the University of Maryland. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War Two and the U.S. Army in the Korean War and worked afterwards as an investment advisor until retiring in 2014. Throughout his life, Rex’s avocation has been the study and teaching of history. He has lectured and taught several courses at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Towson University.
More lectures
• Georges Seurat and Pointillism with Joseph Paul Cassar
• The Jersey Boys—Oh What a Night! with Ellen Katz
• Casablanca (1942) and the Films it Influenced with Peter Lev
• The Rise of Benny Goodman with Seth Kibel
• Holocaust Remembrance: Connecting Memory and Responsibility with Jon Aaron
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Do you have pets keeping you company? Do you have a recipe to show off? Do you have beautiful flowers in your garden? Send us a picture— and tell us a little bit about the photo. We’ll share some responses in an upcoming newsletter and on our Facebook page. Bonus if you’re also in the picture! Email us at osher@towson.edu.
Our weekly newsletter and member engagement activities made it into the Osher National Resource Center newsletter. TAKE A LOOK
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Catch up with us on Facebook
Each day this week, we've been sharing on Facebook how the Osher at Towson University staff are dealing with life under quarantine. Follow us on Facebook to see their selfies and find more helpful and fun resources.
Follow Us on Facebook
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