School today where we learned one of the funniest pieces of Texas History, brought to us by Ann Serrano, librarian at the Briscoe Center. It seems that back in the 60's Lee Otis, a black activist student at Texas Southern University and a member of SNCC was on the police's radar. He passed a joint to an undercover cop and was sentenced to 30 years! FREE LEE OTIS became a mantra at many rallies and on many campuses. When the Governor at the time (Preston Smith) made a speech at Univ of Houston and the students drowned him out chanting FREE LEE OTIS the bewildered governor thought they were saying FRIJOLES FRIJOLES and couldn't imagine why they were shouting "refried beans!" This followed him to his obit. Lee Otis was released on appeal after 4 years. Can you imagine? Abe thought it important to mention we held the oldest book in Texas (1555) and viewed and learned the history of some beautiful old quilts.
Tonight Malina and Diego (UT Film students) came to discuss their experimental project CELEBRITY which we will shoot on Friday in an abandoned squash athletic room Diego found on campus. Sounds creative. I'll be the center attraction who goes from isolation to manufactured stardom. I'm game because they're talented and intelligent and the project is their vision. Also, I like them very much and am happy to help!
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