We are losing our Greats......

First off, I would like to send out my heartfelt condolences to the families of Ed Bradley and Gerald Levert. We really are losing our greats. We also lost Johnnie Cochran and Gordon Parks within the last 18 months. The common theme with these gentlemen was not only that they were extremely talented in their respective fields but also greatly needed by the African-American community. Johnnie was our attorney. Gerald was one of the last great soul vocalists in a time when real singers are fading from the public consciousness. And of course, Bradley and Parks exuded a timeless quality of class, culture and coolness that are bereft from the current Black media standard. This is perhaps one of the main reasons why I am so critical of commercial hiphop and how it has successfully demonized the Black image. When I look back at old photographs of the heroes of the Harlem Rennaissance period, it is a bitter pill to swallow when compared to who are considered iconic in 2006. We have to honor these soldiers by raising the standard...it is not only what they would have wanted but what we should want. Rest in peace gentleman...Rest in peace.