Hatching Eggs

Despite ceasing publication in October 1976, the spirit of the Bird persisted in the activism, worldview, and work of many of the contributors and readers of the paper.  Even while the Bird was still being published, there was a significant overlap between folks associated with the paper and activists in the various social movements of the era, especially in women’s liberation, environmental activism, labor struggles, and lesbian and gay liberation.  After the Bird’s demise, many of its contributors and readers continued on with the work of fighting for freedom and equality, and they continue to do so.  In the 1970s and 1980s, many people participated in solidarity movements with the contemporary struggles in Latin America and South Africa. Others worked in labor organizing and the growing food cooperative movement, and others still forged careers in law, education, and mental health.  In 1984-1985, there was a brief nine-issue revival of the Bird, and many of the folks who worked on the original paper contributed to this resurrected version.  Perhaps most significantly, the relationships and friendships forged while working the Bird remained strong.  The Bird flock still keeps in touch and since 2008 has gathered annually for reunions.

 In this interview, Berl Boykin discusses his involvement with The Great Speckled Bird in more detail, and he speaks about the evolution of his involvement over time. He also discusses the demise of the paper and his later projects (theater, radio).