David I. Arkin
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David I. Arkin was a teacher, painter, writer, and lyricist and is the father of actor Alan Arkin.
Arkin was born in Odessa and emigrated to the United States, originally settling in New York City. In 1945, Arkin moved his family to Los Angeles, California to take a teaching job. Arkin attempted to obtain work in the entertainment industry, but was unsuccessful. An eight-month Hollywood strike cost Arkin a set designer job, but the greater blow was as a result of the McCarthy "witch hunt". Arkin, a leftist, was accused of being a communist but Arkin refused to answer questions regarding his political affiliation. As a result, he was fired from his teaching job and was unable to gain work in Hollywood. Arkin challenged his dismissal, but did not achieve exoneration until after his death.
Arkin's most memorable song-writing contribution was in creating the lyrics to the song Black and White, with music by Earl Robinson in 1954.[1] The song was written to celebrate the United States Supreme Court decision of Brown v. Board of Education striking down racial segregation in public schools.
[edit] References
- Sierchio, Pat. "Alan Arkin—not just another kid From Brooklyn", The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles, 2007-02-16. Retrieved on 2007-02-16.
- Alan Arkin biography. Yahoo! Movies. Retrieved on 2006-12-09.
- Hollywood's Big Night. New Jersey Jewish Standard. Retrieved on 2007-02-26.
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