Posted by Eric Goldhagen on May 06, 2001 at 21:02:41 from 166.84.199.91 :
It was one of the first days of class. Soc 101, huge intimadating lecture hall. As a young activist, I was told by friends that Ed's class was one that I should make sure to take. I was a bit arrogant, and wondered what this aging hippie could possible teach me. Ed was starting a discussion of social concepts of property and ownership trying to get us to think about possible alternative ways of looking at the social concepts that run out society. A frat-boy type interupted Ed calling him a hypocrite "well, I hear you live in a pretty nice house..." or something to that effect. Ed responded by drawing a map on the board showing exactly where his nice home was, and also told us where the spare key was stashed. "Help yourself to anything you find inside" is how he finished. No one was sure how to respond. Ed had made his point.
A couple of friends and I decided to see if we really could just let ourselves into his place. When Ed came home and found us drinking in his house, he let out a small laugh, sat down and started a discussion that lasted till late that evening.
The way he lived his politics has effected me ever since. Throughout the five years I spent in Buffalo as a student and activist, he was always there for support and advice. the combined effort of Ed and a couple of other UB profs can still be seen in the projects and struggles I continue to be involved with.
Ed is no longer among the living, weather he is in a "better" place or not is impossible to know. What is certain however, is that he will continue to live in the memories, and actions of those of us who had the good fortune to have known him.