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TURNER’S TWO CENTS: People’s Props for the Mac Man
*The presence of more than 10,000 people at his memorial service in Chicago on Saturday was not only a tribute to Bernie Mac, it was also a beautiful statement about the hometown he loved. There were plenty of stars in the throng that filled the pews at the House of Hope mega church: Chris Rock, Tom Joyner, Samuel L. Jackson, Jesse Jackson, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and, of course the three other “Kings of Comedy” Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley and Cedric the Entertainer. But even more significant than the abundance of celebrities was the massive turnout by the People of Chicago, especially those from the city’s Southside where Bernie grew up and which remained in his heart even as he soared through the heights of international stardom.
They lined up early and stood in the sun for hours waiting to get into the memorial. Moms and dads, grandparents, young adults, teenagers and little kids. There were plenty of “I Love You, Bernie” t-shirts and an abundance of handmade signs decorated with magazine photos and heartfelt tributes written with multicolored markers. One of those signs, referencing the underprivileged neighborhood of Bernie’s childhood, declared: "Thank you, Bernie, for showing that good people do come from Englewood.”
Of course good people come from Englewood. They come from every inner-city in the United States. It’s just a shame that America need to be continually reminded of that fact.
Generations of racism, biased media coverage and gangsta rap have done a pretty thorough job of solidifying the false notion that our nation’s inner-cities are overrun by criminals and the morally bankrupt. But you and I know better. We understand that most residents of the so-called “ghetto” are good-hearted, morally-upstanding, courageous and loving people who are dedicated to their families and communities. They work hard on jobs that never pay enough and work equally hard to maintain dignity, family ties, pride and joy in the face of financial, institutional, social and psychological pressures – including very real danger -- that those of us from outside the ‘hood cannot fully appreciate.
These are the People whom Bernie represented and who he inspired. On Saturday, they came out by the thousands to say goodbye and thank you. In the process, they smashed the stereotypes just by being themselves.
Thanks for listening. I’m Cameron Turner and that’s my two cents.
THINK! IT AIN’T ILLEGAL…YET!
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