In Remembrance Of Civil Rights Pioneer,Dorothy Height

98 yr. old Dorothy Height has passed away.She was the epitome of the civil rights movement.Ms.Height stood for the very same social justice that folks in the tea party movement seem to despise.This was a woman that was a true humanitarian & role model.Anyone can draw inspiration from the way that Dorothy Height lived her life.What a splendid example of a human being!

Folks,this is what a true American really is.Dorothy Heights fought to gain equality for all the people of America.Because of people like her,this country is a much greater place for everybody.

Here's more on this great civil rights leader from MSNBC:

"Height, whose activism on behalf of women and minorities dated to the New Deal, led the National Council of Negro Women for 40 years. She continued actively speaking out into her 90s, often getting rousing ovations at events around Washington, where she was immediately recognized by the bright, colorful hats she almost always wore.

She died at Howard University Hospital, where she had been in serious condition for weeks.

In a statement, President Barack Obama called her "the godmother of the civil rights movement" and a hero to Americans.

"Dr. Height devoted her life to those struggling for equality ... and served as the only woman at the highest level of the Civil Rights Movement — witnessing every march and milestone along the way," Obama said.

It was the second death of a major civil rights figure in less than a week. Benjamin L. Hooks, the former longtime head of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, died Thursday in Memphis at 85.

As a teenager, Height marched in New York's Times Square shouting, "Stop the lynching." In the 1950s and 1960s, she was the leading woman helping King and other activists orchestrate the civil rights movement, often reminding the men heading the movement not to underestimate their women counterparts.

One of Height's sayings was, "If the time is not ripe, we have to ripen the time." She liked to quote 19th century abolitionist Frederick Douglass, who said that the three effective ways to fight for justice are to "agitate, agitate, agitate."(END OF EXCERPT)Read the rest here.

Hip Hop Legend Guru Has Died!

At the young age of 43,Guru,of the legendary Gang Starr,has passed away from cancer.Man,this is some very sad news for me to hear.When I first started rapping,Guru was one of the rappers that helped me develop my style.His lyrical delivery had me captivated.They just don't make guys that spit like Guru anymore.He will be sorely missed in the hip hop community.But,he will never be forgotten.Because legends never die.

Here's more on his untimely death from MTV News:

"Guru wrote his farewell letter while in the hospital, according to Solar. "I, Guru, am writing this letter to my fans, friends and loved ones around the world," it begins. "I have had a long battle with cancer and have succumbed to the disease. I have suffered with this illness for over a year. I have exhausted all medical options.

"I have a non-profit organization called Each One Counts dedicated to carrying on my charitable work on behalf of abused and disadvantaged children from around the world and also to educate and research a cure for this terrible disease that took my life. I write this with tears in my eyes, not of sorrow but of joy for what a wonderful life I have enjoyed and how many great people I have had the pleasure of meeting.

"My loyal best friend, partner and brother, Solar, has been at my side through it all and has been made my health proxy by myself on all matters relating to myself. He has been with me by my side on my many hospital stays, operations, doctors visits and stayed with me at my home and cared for me when I could not care for myself. Solar and his family is my family and I love them dearly and I expect my family, friends, and fans to respect that, regardless to anybody's feelings on the matter. It is my wish that counts. This being said I am survived by the love of my life, my sun KC, who I trust will be looked after by Solar and his family as their own. Any awards or tributes should be accepted, organized approved by Solar on behalf [of] myself and my son until he is of age to except on his own."

Guru very pointedly distanced himself from Premier in the letter, saying he didn't want his former musical collaborator to be able to participate in any tributes or events surrounding his death.

"I do not wish my ex-DJ to have anything to do with my name likeness, events, tributes etc. connected in anyway to my situation including any use of my name or circumstance for any reason and I have instructed my lawyers to enforce this," wrote Guru. "I had nothing to do with him in life for over 7 years and want nothing to do with him in death. Solar has my life story and is well informed on my family situation, as well as the real reason for separating from my ex-DJ."(END OF EXCERPT)Read the rest here.

Help Erect The Dr. Martin Luther King,Jr. Memorial In Washington,DC

I received an email from a reader that wants to spread the word about a great cause! The Dr. Martin Luther King,Jr.National Memorial needs support from the public in order to make it a reality.I will let Mr. Lowell Dempsey tell you how you can help in his own words.Here's an excerpt from that email I got from him:

"This month of April marks the 42nd anniversary of the death of Dr. King and we are commemorating his life and work by creating a memorial in our nation's capital. The Washington,DC Martin Luther King,Jr. National Memorial will honor his life and contributions to the world through non violent social change.

I've put together this micro-site to help get the message out - there are videos, photos, banners, and even a web toolbar that, when used, donates money to the creation of the memorial:

http://mlkmemorialnews.org

After many years of fund raising, the memorial is only $14 million away from its $120 million goal. If you are able to post or tweet about this please let me know so I can share it with the team. If you have any questions please pop me an email. And if you are able to help, thank you so much.

Lowell

--
Lowell Dempsey,
BuildTheDream.org
Twitter @mlkmemorial
Facebook.com/MLKNationalMemorial


"An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity"
--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.