Celebration of Life for Garrett Albert Duncan. Bring a candle. Please register for the zoom link: https://wustl.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0sdOqrqzIrHtyN _AMxrDDqOgt324ROT1p7
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Giving
The memorial organizer requested donations in honor of Garrett Albert Duncan
The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis (BGCSTL) is to inspire and enable youth ages 6... moreThe mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis (BGCSTL) is to inspire and enable youth ages 6 to 18 to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. For nearly 50 years, BGCSTL has been providing after-school, teen, sports and summer programs to youth in the St. Louis area while also providing a safe place for them to learn and grow. The Clubs now serve St. Louis youth at six locations (Adams Park Club, Ferguson Middle School Club, Herbert Hoover Club, O'Fallon Park Club, Hazelwood Southeast Middle School Club and Twillman Elementary School Club) and within several other schools (including Normandy High School and Roosevelt High School) and through our Mentor St. Louis Program. We are also a proud member of the United Way of Greater St. Louis. less
We created a GatheringUs memorial to celebrate the life of Garett Albert Duncan, PhD. Collecting your stories and memories here will offer us great comfort. Thank you for contributing to this lasting memorial.
On a whim, I looked Garrett up to see what he was up to. I had no idea that he'd passed away or been sick. I was a nobody really in the grand scheme of things; an active duty Airman taking a night class at Wash U. Garrett had to give me permission to... moreOn a whim, I looked Garrett up to see what he was up to. I had no idea that he'd passed away or been sick. I was a nobody really in the grand scheme of things; an active duty Airman taking a night class at Wash U. Garrett had to give me permission to sign up since I wasn't even a day student with much college at the time. He changed my perspective and my life on so many things in the conversations we had. There's no world he'd have remembered me, but Lord knows I remembered him and feel fortunate and lucky to have met him. less
When I think of what Professor Duncan meant to me, the first word that comes to mind is “mentor” because he was my trusted adviser. But, if I’m honest, he was more than that; much more. When I was at my most vulnerable after the loss of my mom, he... moreWhen I think of what Professor Duncan meant to me, the first word that comes to mind is “mentor” because he was my trusted adviser. But, if I’m honest, he was more than that; much more. When I was at my most vulnerable after the loss of my mom, he stood in the gap for me and let me know that I could and would not only survive but thrive. He embodied the meaning of the word educator as simultaneously trained and led his students at Wash U in scholarship teaching us about pedagogy, ethnography, etymology, and all of the other ologies. He was so SMART!
He also committed himself to lead us out of our mental shackles which sought to instill us with imposter syndrome and limitations. We were the raisins in a bowl of milk, but not in his class. His ideas of Black power being rooted in self-love and the rejection of internalized oppression propelled us all and encouraged me to use my voice - and use it well - and to always show up as my authentic self. He taught us to be proud of our culture and our heritage and our language and especially loved to tout his cobalt blue-black complexion. He just knew that he was as fine as wine with his suspenders, his Stacy Adams, and bow ties. The man was CLEAN!
He introduced me to John Baugh’s research on Black talk, Black sounds, AAVE at a time when our ABS meetings struggled to define the tension that existed between where you’re from and how you speak, and how that impacts our identity. He taught us about the “language we cry in” and that this is the language that felt most like home and more importantly that our home life - no matter where we came from - had value.
As if that weren’t enough, Professor Duncan challenged me endlessly. Be it by giving me a C on a paper just because he knew I would come charging into his office to question him about it and for him to say, “Tina B., girl, now you know you can do better than what you submitted to me,” and making me do it over to earn a better grade or telling me to check my Diva attitude.
After senior year, he made it his business to meet and also mentor a special guy that I was dating. He took him to get sushi, took him to get wings at Culpepper’s, and hooked him up with a few suits. I was jealous at the time - I like wings, too! - but I know that he was vetting this man, whom I later married, and opened his heart to him just as he’d done to me. He also beamed with pride once he found out that I'd named my daughter Kali (e.g. an ode to the best coast and the name of his beloved sister, Callie) and my son, Kalil (e.g. Khalil Gibran). I hadn't realized the connections then, but I do now.
Professor Duncan urged me to call him Garrett and I never did or well, I never could. To me, he commanded and demanded so much respect and it was the least I could do to always address him as such. I am forever indebted to him for his mentorship, care, empathy, love, and his father-like guidance which I shall cherish forevermore.
To my beloved Professor Garrett Albert Duncan, I say thank you. less
Professor Garrett Albert Duncan was a hero, a mentor, and friend. He was the single most important educator in my life, and he formed the person I am today. When I stumbled into his introductory AFAS class my sophomore year of college, I thought I... moreProfessor Garrett Albert Duncan was a hero, a mentor, and friend. He was the single most important educator in my life, and he formed the person I am today. When I stumbled into his introductory AFAS class my sophomore year of college, I thought I understood the world and my place in it, but he fundamentally altered my worldview. He taught all those who were lucky enough to take his classes about the origins of race, about cultural imperialism, critical race theory, and about the way that humans have used race to control and oppress since the beginning. He connected the dots between slavery, Jim Crow, redlining, the war on drugs, and the school to prison pipeline, but he made me and every student feel like we were discovering the ideas on our own. He taught me about love and justice and that those principles should guide every interaction we have, but especially the way we educate our youth. He made me feel America was broken, but also that it was worth fighting for. And his reading lists, oh, his reading lists. He introduced me to Paolo Freire, Walter Mosley, bell hooks, WEB DuBois, Amiri Baraka, Eldridge Cleaver, and so so many more. We read novels and plays, academic studies and tomes, my bookshelf is what it is today because of him and he used to send me reading lists well into my 30s. Also, his suits were next level.
But more than just educating, he cared. He had nicknames for every student, going back generations. There was no better feeling than walking into his classroom and hearing that boisterous "EZ!" ring out, or taking an risk by raising your hand and positing a theory no one had mentioned yet and hearing that un-professorial response, "BOOM" or "MY MAN" as a huge smile spread across his face. I still have papers with his hand-written notes, "I'm feeling this, EZ" or "But what about this..." He made me believe in myself as a writer and thinker, and that stays with me today. He defined my college experience, and he made me believe in the power of a liberal arts education and in the power a teacher can have.
He also inspired. In another life, before Wash U, Dr. D was a Black Panther and then a middle school science teacher in California. Even after entering academia, he continued working in St. Louis city schools and teaching incarcerated teenagers. And after we did an independent study together teaching Shakespeare to North St. Louis kids, he made me want to be a teacher, to get on the frontlines. He didn't think TFA was the best program, but he had my back, as he always did, and he told me go do it my way, to fight for justice and for the kids that school wasn't working for, regardless of what the rules or program called for. I'm not sure I always lived up to his dreams for me, but I tried.
He continued to be a mentor and an ally well into my career, and I am forever thankful.
He lived his values. He fought for justice till the end. And he made countless others want to do the same. I'm heartbroken, but as he would say, the fight goes on. Rest in Power beloved Dr. D. less
I met Garrett several years ago at a job interview. I was immediately drawn to his passion for education and cultural curation. I quickly learned during that interview that Garrett was an extremely generous, kind, understanding, and brilliant educator. I... moreI met Garrett several years ago at a job interview. I was immediately drawn to his passion for education and cultural curation. I quickly learned during that interview that Garrett was an extremely generous, kind, understanding, and brilliant educator. I am encouraged by knowing that his light will continue to shine through the lives of all that he touched.
I was raised in Hayward with Garrett. My mother and his mother were best friends. I'm sure it's just an oversight, but there is some family missing here. Garrett is also survived by his brother, David...his sister, Veronica...his sister, Dominique...and... moreI was raised in Hayward with Garrett. My mother and his mother were best friends. I'm sure it's just an oversight, but there is some family missing here. Garrett is also survived by his brother, David...his sister, Veronica...his sister, Dominique...and his niece, Temika. less
Posted with the permission of Garrett's high school football teammate Edwin.
"Mt Eden High ! Hayward, California. Garrett was offensive tackle ! A team leader and when he spoke we listened !! A true leader at 17 years old our senior year !!
Garrett Duncan was such a great friend and colleague. You could rely on him for honest discourse, unwavering support for students, and a willingness to speak up and speak out! I will miss his style, his smile, and his love for all.
Garrett had a special place in my life as my “son” and he always referred to me as Mother Toliver. I have so many fond memories of our times together. When Wilmetta and Samba were out of the country, I would frequently take him to physical therapy.... moreGarrett had a special place in my life as my “son” and he always referred to me as Mother Toliver. I have so many fond memories of our times together. When Wilmetta and Samba were out of the country, I would frequently take him to physical therapy. One day when we were leaving he asked me to take him to this exclusive men’s store because he wanted a new suit for the new school year - he had impeccable style. I sat in the men’s dressing room lounge as he modeled various suits. I gasped when I saw the price tag and told him I could get him three suits for that price but “that was how he rolled”!
Also, knowing Walter Moseley was one of his favorite authors, I bought his latest novel and had Mosley autograph it with a personalized note to Garrett. He was overwhelmed and the smile and joyful expression on his face when I presented it to him is one I will never forget. I saw a similar expression when I gave him a stuffed replica of his dog, Socrates, as a companion during one of his hospital stays.
We brought so much joy and love into each other’s lives and I am so grateful for the times we shared. RIP my dear “son” - I will never forget you. less
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