Obituaries
Martin vs. Malcolm: The Olive Branch and The Arrow
35 years before Biggie vs. Tupac, and generations after Dubois vs. Garvey &Washington, the two leading African-American minds, of their generation, engaged in an exhibition of philosophies.
The Olive Branch
He spoke with a vibrato that stirred the souls of a nation. Distorted echoes of his words are still heard today. His short life was a testament to the power of righteous indignation, when combined with love, and the will to persevere. He was a preacher, a scholar, and a father, but the overriding evidence of his actions and decisions shows the true essence of Martin Luther King, Jr.: He was a freedom fighter. The simplification of his message into one of hope and integration can be misleading. The fighter that wrote, “Why We Can’t Wait”, has been reduced to a beggar asking for America’s acceptance. The tree of King’s legacy has been whittled into a crutch of hope for a hobbled nation. As children, American students are spoon fed a simplistic version of King summed up in a few lines at the end of his “I Have A Dream” speech, “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal… I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
In the same speech Dr. King said, “There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges”! Does that sound like a weakling to you? A man begging for justice?
“The militancy of these words can easily be relieved if one points out that King rushed to caution black militants against mimicking the hatred of white bigots.”(Dyson) Still, Martin Luther King was not laying down in acceptance of his fate but rather strategically pushing forward his cause.
By being uplifted King as a peaceful symbol of a post-racist utopia King has been marginalized. In turn people lose sight of the fact that he was a radical. Why wouldn’t he be? Martin Luther King Jr. was Christian, and Christ was a radical. Repeatedly, Jesus taught people to believe in and live a spiritual and ethical life based in our essential, inherent goodness. What Jesus promoted was succinct set of spiritual principals and a way of life based upon love, compassion, tolerance, and a strong belief in the importance in giving and of generosity to those in need. King did the same.
Obituaries
O.J. Simpson, football Hall of famer, dies at 76 after cancer battle
O.J. Simpson, the football hall of famer and Hollywood actor who was acquitted of charges he killed his former wife and her friend, has died. He was 76.
O.J. Simpson, the football hall of famer and Hollywood actor who was acquitted of murder charges, has died.
He was 76.
Family announces passing
The family announced on Simpson’s official X account that Simpson passed Wednesday after battling prostate cancer. He died in Las Vegas, officials there said Thursday.
“On April 10th, our father, Orenthal Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren. During this time of transition, his family asks that you please respect their wishes for privacy and grace,” the family posted on Simpson’s X account.
Life of ups and downs for O.J. Simpson
Simpson was a former NFL star, actor, and broadcaster whose athletic achievements and fame were eclipsed by his 1995 trial in the slayings of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman.
The infamous case
Simpson assembled a “dream team” defense for the trial.
He didn’t testify, but the prosecution asked him to try on the gloves in court. He struggled to squeeze them onto his hands and spoke his only three words of the trial: “They’re too small.”
His attorney Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. told the jurors, “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit.”
Acquitted
Simpson was acquitted of murder for both his ex-wife and Goldman.
The proceedings captivated the country, with tens of millions of viewers tuning in at home and at work and sparked heavy debates on race.
Though acquitted of murders, in 1997, a civil trial jury unanimously deemed Simpson liable for the deaths and ordered him to pay $33.5 million in damages.
Served time
Years later at 61, Simpson served about nine years in prison for an unrelated case involving a memorabilia robbery in Las Vegas. He was released in 2017 on parole.
Football career
After graduating from high school, Simpson enrolled at City College of San Francisco for a year and a half before transferring to the University of Southern California for the spring 1967 semester to play football.
At USC, Simpson dominated the collegiate football and received the Heisman trophy in 1968.
NFL
Simpson went on to play 11 seasons in the NFL, nine of them with the Buffalo Bills, where earning him the moniker “The Juice” and ran behind an offensive line known as “The Electric Company.”
He won four NFL rushing titles, rushed for 11,236 yards in his career, scored 76 touchdowns and played in five Pro Bowls. His best season was 1973, when he ran for 2,003 yards, the first running back to accomplish breaking the 2,000-yard rushing mark.
O.J. Simpson’s Legacy
Simpson leaves behind five children. He shared three children, Arnelle, Jason and Aaren, with his first wife, Marguerite Whitley, and welcomed two kids, Sydney and Justin, with his second wife Nicole Brown Simpson.
Obituaries
Legendary DJ Mister Cee passes away
Mister Cee, the legendary New York City radio DJ, has died. He was 57 years old.
Calvin LeBrun, the legendary New York City radio DJ known as Mister Cee, has died. He was 57 years old.
DJ Mister Cee passes
Cee, who grew up in Brooklyn,was a prominent figure in the hip-hop scene in New York City.
He got his start as a DJ and producer for Big Daddy Kane, taking part in Kane’s debut album. Cee is also often credited with discovering another pillar of Brooklyn hip-hop, the Notorious B.I.G. He also played a role in launching the careers of Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, 50 Cent, Drake among others.
Cee’s long-running “Throwback at Noon” show became one of the most listened to programs in NYC radio at Hot 97. At the time of his death, he was working for Audacy’s 94.7 The Block in New York.
“We have lost the iconic Mister Cee. I listened to him yesterday and am in complete shock. He was a dear friend to all of us, a wonderful man, and one of the most important and impactful DJs of all time. I love you Cee”, Hot 97’s Peter Rosenberg said.
No cause of death has been revealed.
Obituaries
Former NFL cornerback Vontae Davis dies at 35
Former NFL cornerback Vontae Davis was found dead in a Florida mansion, police said Monday. He was 35. No cause of death was revealed.
Former NFL cornerback Vontae Davis has died at the age of 35.
Passing details
Davis was found by police Monday at his home in Southwest Ranches, Fla., reports NBC.
Officers were disparched Monday morning to a residence in the 6000 block of SW 178th Avenue by the house assistant, who discovered Davis’ body, the Davie Police Department said in a statement.
“Preliminary information suggests that foul play is not involved,” the department said.
The details of Davis cause of death were not released.
Vontae Davis NFL Career
A native of Washington, D.C., Davis was selected by Miami as the 25th pick in the first round of the 2009 draft. He played college football at the University of Illinois.
Davis spent 10 seasons in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills, achieving a record of 22 interceptions and made the Pro Bowl twice.
He had one of the most memorable retirements. At halftime in 2018 with the Bills, he hung up his pads and walked off the field.
In a statement about the retirement mid-game, Davis said: “This isn’t how I pictured retiring from the NFL. But today, on the field, reality hit me hard and fast. I shouldn’t be out there anymore. … I meant no disrespect to my teammates or coaches.”
Life after retirement for Vontae Davis
After retirement, Davis co-wrote a children’s book about overcoming a tough upbringing and becoming an NFL superstar.
He also operated a wellness spa, Vzone, that specialized in oxygen treatments. According to Davis’s LinkedIn profile, he was chief executive of Davis Family Hospitality Group, described as “a comprehensive support system encompassing mentorship and safeguarding for athletes.”
Vontae’s older brother is former NFL star Vernon Davis.
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Keith Covin
August 29, 2013 at 11:50 pm
Nice article, I am sure that both King and Malcolm must be rolling in their graves to see the preempted negative state of African Americans today.