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Steve Diamond and border collie at Montague Farm, ca. 1980
Steve Diamond found his activist calling fairly early in his life. While studying at Columbia University, he began working for the Liberation News Service, a newspaper group that served underground college communities and frequently dealt with topics relating to nonviolent activism. Though the paper was successful, its writing staff would ultimately fracture and split into two groups. Diamond's group split of and bought the Ripley Farm in Montague where they formed a commune. While the paper they started there shut down following the ruin of their equipment during the first winter, the commune provided a place for people to share their ideas, writings, and philosophies with each other, completely free of the criticism they felt they might face from the outside world.
Eventually, though, more conflict, combined with the unexplained suicide of the group's founder, Marshall Bloom, caused the end of the commune and Diamond went off to do his own work. He wrote a number of novels including
Diamond's other great goal was his One Day of Peace initiative. Diamond hoped that he could convince the world to cease all violence and bloodshed and refrain from the use of weapons for one day, January 1st, 2000. Diamond dedicated several years of his life to this project, and while not all sovereign nations agreed to the idea, he received positive feedback from several groups and even a few world leaders who agreed to his plan. This would be the last great achievement of his life, for Diamond's unhealthy lifestyle and the stresses he put himself through contributed to his early demise at the age of 59. Yet though his life was ended abruptly, Diamonds legacy of peace and brotherly love continues to inspire people as they seek their own visions of a better world.
The collection consists of a wide variety of items related to Diamond's life and work. Writings are chiefly works by Diamond, but also include pieces written by his friends and peers as well as publications relating to his work and beliefs. Notes, photographs, and correspondence offer insight into Diamond's personal life--a life focused in later years on his spiritual journey amidst personal challenges.
The collection is open for research.
Gift of Crescent Diamond, 2007.
Processed by Kethney Massenat, Fall 2018.
Includes writings and publications both by Steve Diamond and his close colleagues or friends. Diamond's writings range from
Many of the writings by others focus on themes or areas of interest that are similar to ones Diamond wrote about, such as spirituality, peace, and justice. These include materials produced by the Liberation News Service and a
This series consists of Diamonds personal notes, correspondences, documents, and photos, which taken together offer insight into his personal life. Materials includes peace documents from other countries related to his One Day in Peace initiative, notes, correspondence, and photographs featuring places that he visited in relation to his work, family life, and spiritual journey. In his Trueheart Files, Diamond reflects on his friend, Marshall Bloom, and the impact of his suicide on those who cared for him.
Includes "Vendetta Story," "Saint Hood," "Experts in Love" and clippings.