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Civil Rights Attorney Percy Sutton Dies at age 89
(CNN) -- Civil rights attorney Percy Sutton, who represented Malcolm X and became an influential New York politician and broadcaster, has died at age 89, associates said Sunday. As a businessman, Sutton was credited with leading the revitalization of Harlem, including the restoration of the famous Apollo Theater. In a statement issued after Sutton's death Saturday night, New York Gov. David Paterson called the former Manhattan borough president "a friend and mentor." "Percy was fiercely loyal, compassionate and a truly kind soul," Paterson said. "He will be missed, but his legacy lives on through the next generations of African-Americans he inspired to pursue and fulfill their own dreams and ambitions." And in a statement issued by the White House, President Obama called Sutton a "true hero to African-Americans in New York City and around the country." His career as an entrepreneur and public servant made the rise of countless young African-Americans possible. "His life-long dedication to the fight for civil rights and his career as an entrepreneur and public servant made the rise of countless young African-Americans possible," Obama said. A native of Texas, Sutton served as an intelligence officer for the famed Tuskegee Airmen during World War II before becoming an attorney. He represented Malcolm X until the onetime Nation of Islam leader's 1965 assassination, and continued to represent his widow, Betty Shabazz, until her death in a 1997 fire. He then defended Shabazz's 12-year-old grandson, who admitted to starting the fatal blaze. In the 1970s, Sutton was a member of the Harlem circle dubbed the "Gang of Four," which included U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel; Paterson's father Basil, who became New York's secretary of state; and future New York Mayor David Dinkins. He served as Manhattan borough president from 1966 to 1977, and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg ordered flags at city offices to fly at half-staff on Monday. "It's hard to capture in just a few words how important Percy's contributions were -- and just how unique an individual he was. He helped move African-Americans and all of New York forward," Bloomberg said in his declaration. After public office, Sutton became an African-American broadcasting pioneer by purchasing radio stations WLIB and WBLS, launching the first radio chain aimed at black listeners, civil rights leader Al Sharpton said Sunday. "He was at the forefront of everything you can think of in black America," Sharpton told CNN. "He was the quintessential black American. He pioneered black business, black media and black politics. He opened those doors and he kept them open." Sutton also reopened the Apollo, the Harlem landmark credited with launching the careers of performers from Ella Fitzgerald to Michael Jackson, "when it was boarded up -- when the only ones here were the rats and the roaches," Sharpton told reporters Sunday. "He was suave and eloquent and debonair," Sharpton said. "He had a coolness about him that I think that we will never see the likes of. There was a grace about Percy Sutton that was hard to describe." And Rangel said Sutton "never stopped fighting for our rights and building community, especially in his beloved Harlem." "Percy Sutton wrote his own story, and in doing so, he leaves behind a remarkable legacy of achievement and social justice that will serve as an example and inspiration for generations of leaders, now and forever," the veteran congressman said in a written statement. Posted By admin on 2010-01-13 16:07:28.0 |
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Black History: Not past, Present and Accounted For
Contact: Donise Cheeks (202) 874-4099 work (410) 963-4821 cell
Black History: Not Past, Present and Accounted For
Every February of every year, Black History Month celebrations are notorious for howcasing past history. We know better dont we? Black History takes place everyday but that discussion is fodder for another article, on another day; meanwhile, ponder this question, are we still making history?
Enter, Suzan-Lori Parks the first female African-American Playwright to win a Pulitzer Prize in Theatre. She received that honor in 2002 for the Broadway production Topdog/Underdog , a story about two brothers named Lincoln and Booth. (Its also interesting to note that Halle Berry was the first female African-American to receive an Oscar that same year, for Monster Ball.)
Suzan-Lori Parks appeared at the CenterStage in the Reston Community Center, Reston, Virginia on Saturday, February 4, 2006. As I sat on the front row of the auditorium, I observed the most curious thing the still small gathering audience was predominantly white. Mind you, a living legend is about to walk out on this stage, in our midst another trailblazer for a yet-to-be-famous aspiring Playwright and my people are low in support and low on attendance.
Still, Ms. Parks appeared on stage wearing a beautiful smile and minimal make-up, which complemented her confident stride of contentment. She had playfulness about her. I was mesmerized by her navel-length locs that were separated into two large braids. She wore a black long-sleeved sweat-shirt pushed up at the elbow, a black mid-thigh mini skirt showing off smooth and toned cocoa-brown legs which ALL the men enjoyed, and black bikers boots yes, I mean the kind with the silver buckle on one side. Wondering about all the black? Ill tell you later, keep reading. Looking at her, I had the feeling her personality was whimsical yet deeply complex, maybe even tortured, in an off-beat charming sort of way. She began talking into the mic as if shed just joined an ongoing conversation, which hadnt even begun.
For the next 2 and 1/2 hours she fascinated us with her unique sense of humor and shared several stories of her lifes experiences.
Her History
To answer the question how and or when did you get started or interested in writing she told us that by the time she was in 4th grade, her parents purchased a piano. (Her dad was in the military and they moved at least 12 times.) Suzan-Lori liked to hide under that piano with her dog, a piece of paper, and a pencil. She matter-of-factly told her folks she was writing her novel. Indeed. The middle child of 3 siblings, born in West Texas, Suzan-Lori had no idea the profoundness of her statement she loved living her life everyday, as a new beginning.
While in school, Sister so and so, was reviewing Ms. Parks grades and peered over her glasses at her to ask Suzan-Lori what she wanted to be in life. Suzan-Lori jumped up and shouted, a writer, because I love literature. Then, the well-meaning nun/counselor/ teacher informed Suzan-Lori that she had horrible grades in English and she could not spell; instead, she encouraged her to pursue a path dictated by her grades in science. Living in the confines of her mind, Suzan attended Mt. Holyoke College as chemistry major.
In college she discovered Virginia Woolf; began to write; and, was selected as 1 of 15 students James Baldwin chose to mentor in his creative writing class. Everyday, the students would come to class and take turns reading their material. Most read from their seated positions in conversational tones and waited for Mr. Baldwins critique. The day it was Suzan-Loris turn, she stood up and with a projected voice, dramatically read her piece while speaking incessantly with her hands. Mr. Baldwin looked at her with the rest of his students, and asked her in his small frail voice, if shed thought of writing plays. She said no; he said go home and do it. She did.
One early play took place in a bar in the East Village of New York. She was a complete nerd, paid her friend $50 to perform, and with only Christmas lights available, she controlled the lighting by using extension cords to plug/unplug on cue. To this day she has those extension cords as a reminder of her humble beginning.
Why Black?
If you know Suzan-Loris work, you arent shocked to learn she writes about death. If youre new to her, youll discover the characters in her novels and plays are usually dead. She always writes from the perspective of dead people, ergo, the black thing.
Her first novel, Getting Mothers Body, was set in 1963 and deals with the dead womans children being broke and down-hearted enough to take a road trip and dig up her body, to get to the jewelry she was buried with. Mommas telling the story. The Death of the Last Black Man in the Entire World, deals with the black man looking for a resting place, now that he done died-ed. Her works contain a made up language style that I think is reminiscent of broken English, slang and illiteracy.
Bringing it Home
Ms. Parks first feature film was Spike Lees, Girl 6, and shes currently finishing projects with the fine Denzel (no last name needed) and with (the Robert Redford look-a-like) Brad Pitt. You may also recall seeing her work on television, she wrote the screenplay of Zora Neal Houstons, Their eyes Were Watching God, starring Halle Berry.
Her Yoga teachers philosophy on life seems to fit her style, &make sure the ladder of success isnt propped against the wrong wall. To make sure of this, Suzan-Lori commits herself to literature and remains honest and true about what she loves. She says, & if you wake up everyday and look over at the guy you married, and he's got balding, short, or no hair, and hes snoring, but yet you smile and say YES! , youre happy&if not, then its time to stop what youre doing and move along. When giving advice on writing Ms. Parks states, &just pick up a pencil and write&its that simple&everyday.
dwc ### This article appeared on the web via Insider Entertainment at: http://www.insiderentertainment.com/reviewfull.php?id=51 Posted By Anonymous on 2006-02-15 09:01:20.0 |
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ATLANTA Coretta Scott King, who turned a life shattered by her husband's assassination into one devoted to enshrining his legacy of human rights and equality, died Tuesday 1/31/2006 at the age of 78. Flags at the King Center were lowered to half-staff Tuesday morning. 'We appreciate the prayers and condolences from people across the country,' the King family said in a statement. The family said she died during the night.