The Story



We are All Antarctica is a story about my father George W. Gibbs, Jr’s adventures as the first person of African descent to set foot on the continent of Antarctica. He sailed on the famous ship the USS Bear in 1939 to 1941 on Admiral Byrd’s III expedition to the South Pole. It was the first joint venture with the US military and private exploration. Gibbs went on to serve humanity in countless ways, paving the way for not only people of color in the community of Rochester, MN but for all people to become more human, serve their community and appreciate differences.

Through compassion, tenacity, faith and countless hours in the trenches, Gibbs’ life is a model for community service, equality and fun. As the lowest rank on the ship, he was honored for his contribution at a time when people with dark skin were considered less than human.

This story integrates my experiences with natural healing, the arts, the science of the ice, the metaphysics of the South Pole and the history of the expedition and its mystery.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Here’s the latest!

We made the 501(c)(3) sponsorship happen! I am now supported by Artistic New Directions, Inc. One of their missions is to help new artists. Last year, I presented one scene from a potential one woman play of We are All Antarctica, during a New York City workshop with Artistic New Directions. They invited me then to work with them as a new artist. I plan to do this project as a song, a musical, a film, or an improv piece with the help of their assistance.

Here’s a Rochester note. Yesterday, my mother, aunt and cousin (from out of town) went to visit Gibbs Elementary.

As they tour the school, the 5th grade teacher sees them and asks if her class can sing to them. “Of course!” my mother replies. The class proceeds to sing a song with rewritten lyrics which include George Gibbs in the lyrics! This is one the reasons I am moving forward with We are All Antarctica: The Race to be Human. There are many lives already impacted by the work of my father and people need the full story with implications for the future!

If you wish to make your gift TAX DEDUCTIBLE, please make out a check to Artistic New Directions, note in the memo part that it is for We are All Antarctica, and send to Artistic New Directions, 250 West 90th Street, #15G, New York, NY 10024 to be received before Dec. 29, 2011. You can contribute with a credit card on www.paypal.com using artnewdir (AT) aol (DOT) com as the payee. (the shorthand is to protect from spammers)

PLEASE note in the subject line: We are All Antarctica or it will not get to me in a timely manner. Happy Holidays!

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