George,

John Hope Franklin, at the age of 94, on March 25, 2009, made his transition to a more soulful place. The contribution of this revered historian about life in the South and the 400-year African American Experience has profoundly impacted Americans and his legacy is certain to be significant for future generations.

The Havard University graduate was appointed in 1983 the "John B. Duke" Professor of History at Duke University and in 1995 he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. Of greater importance was his highly researched truth revealed in his book, "From Slavery to Freedom: A History of African Americans," first published more than sixty years ago. This book reveals the truth about America and African Americans that had been willfully hidden from the storehouse of public knowledge.

In a more recent book, "Mirror of America: The Autobiography of John Hope Franklin," his memoir of the 20th Century struggle for Civil Rights, he offers Americans a challenge that should be the focus of any 21st century dialogue about race in America. Such focus would likely keep a discusison on race civil and substantive with a minimum of energy given to "white guilt" and "black blaming" which much too often torpedo any meaningful discussion on race.

It was my privilege to be present when John Hope Franklin spoke to a capacity audience during the Twelfth Annual Festival of the Book on March 22, 2006, at the UVA Culbreth Theatre in Charlottesville. Shaing the dais with him was Rita Dove, a former U.S. Poet Laureate. They read from their works and had a conversation between themselves on personal cultural history. Durig the question and answer period I asked Dr. Franklin to comment on an issue that they had not addressed. I wanted to know "What imapct will the incarceration of an unheard-of large of number of black men, that accounts for America being the number one jailer in the world, have in the future on African Americans, particualrly, the black family?" I also wanted to know if there are lessons that can be applied fron his own growing up years to address this matter?

Franklin, with tears in his heart and I believe in his eyes, as reflected in his voice, answered my question. He said that this, perhaps, was the most painful concern, i.e., to see what is happening to young black men today. He expressed the idea that a Marshal Plan-like undertaking by America is urgently needed to deal with this isuse. Otherwise, there is a strong probability that damage beyond restoration will be done to African Americans as a race.

There is not any doubt in the minds of those who are aware of Franklin's contribution to humanity that this historian par ex cellence, compassionate revealer of truth, and pursuer of justice, will continue to tower over other historians who will write about life in the South and the African American Expereince.

In closing, I pose this question that I want to know whether or not Franklin answered in his writings: "Are twenty-first century African Americans in Jeopardy?"

Uriah J. Fields (Electronic mail, March 26, 2009)