American self-mythology

One of the great things about New York is how many of the biggest people in their field are doing things here. Each week, I'm scanning through the listings in Time Out for lectures, theatre, art shows, etc. At the moment, Julianne Moore is doing something on Broadway, Kevin Kline is playing King Lear, and Vanessa Redgrave is about to open a play too. I may have to kill someone to get a ticket to this. Then there's all kinds of talks by famous or interesting people.

Last night, I went to a speech given by Larry Kramer - the controversial writer and gay activist. It was to mark the 20th anniversary of his speech (in the same location) that launched AIDS activism group ACT-UP. I've read and heard a few things about Kramer and was keen to check out if he was still as rabid. In a word, yes. I had a lot of problems with most of his speech, but it was a fascinating event. The man is like a god in that context, a fact which was partly addressed by the almost clerical robes he wore for the occasion, but mostly by the standing ovation he received before the speech, as he moved through the crowd to the stage (flanked by security) from the back of the room - an entirely choreographed movement designed for maximum theatrical effect. He basically proceeded to congratulate himself for saving the lives of several million people (I'm not kidding) and changing the face of human history (nup, still not kidding). Now I know that ACT-UP was enormously influential and successful in doing all kinds of things with public perception, drug companies, governments and so on. But "the most successful grass-roots organisation ever, anywhere. Period"??

I guess many Americans are not brought up to be modest.