R.I.P. Marion Barry
 

He passed this morning at the age of 78. Rest in peace.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politi...-78/ar-BBfmBFk

http://notablealphas.com/wp-content/...83869098_n.jpg

Many people knew that Marion Barry was a brother of Alpha Phi Alpha. I wrote a tribute to him for www.notablealphas.com this morning.

http://notablealphas.com/2014/11/23/barry-complicated/

Really, that's what you thought was the most appropriate response to a man's death? Yes he was a flawed person but he also did a lot of big things in his life INCLUDING shining a light on the tragedy of drug use in America.

The new person's comment about Hizzoner's death really wasn't called for. However, he isn't mainly remembered for his work with Alpha Phi Alpha, his work towards equal rights, or his work regarding drug addiction. Here in DC, he'll be remembered by some as that. But most as someone who twisted the system so much that he makes Mayor Daley look like Honest Abe. That being said, I do wish he rest in peace and am sorry that he passed.

Thankfully you are not the authority on most people.

I was snarky in my response, and I am not going to apologize for it for the following reasons: As an African American man born and raised in Washington, DC, I have literally had a lifetime full of this racist country's Congress attacking my city and trampling on our home rule. Yes, he was flawed - absolutely nobody is denying that - but many of you are choosing to ignore the good that he did do ON PURPOSE. You COULD join the chorus of people who are trying to share his legacy, but you are CHOOSING to safely join the pile of mostly white, privileged, racist Republicans and "Well Meaning White Women."

I am absolutely sick of it. You people choose not to acknowledge what he's done because you don't feel like it. And it's not my job to educate you, either.

Consider this my flounce because I'm not even entertaining the rest of the bullshit that's certain to ensue.

And thank you.

And another thing.... just because someone is white and lives in DC doesn't make them right. I notice that from a lot of the white people who live here now.... it's like everything was wrong until they got here. Get a grip - we good.

Flounce away. For someone who has lived here for most of my life, including when he was in office, I'm comfortable in my opinion. As much as people try to make things out about race, I never said anything of the sort. I can name many things about corruption related to leaders of every color in this city. I don't need your "educating", although you are one of the BMOC here on this site. We all live with our different experiences, and leaders effect each of us in different ways. However, I'll point out that in no way did I ever insult you personally such as you did me, and I continue to not do so. My condolences in your loss.

Wow. Never have I or would I have said anything like this about you. I'm good too.

Many people in Black communities across the country appreciate and remember Marion Barry as a civil rights activist and a man who was making moves in U.S.A. politics long before Blacks were able to do so--despite the existence of "Chocolate Cities."

Those of you who are stuck on his drug issues and political downfalls (what are often categorized as "the Marion Barry of his older years") are understandable in those sentiments. Marion Barry got busted and frowned upon for doing what many, if not most, white politicians were doing. Either way, please, out of respect for a thread created to celebrate the life and accomplishments of someone who passed away, take that out of THIS thread.

Respectfully. Thanks.

Respectfully, it's not about the drugs. There is much more to that. And for someone to take the most polarizing person in DC politics and say that not only did nothing happen, but it's solely about race, that's offensive. I acknowledged accomplishments of human rights and his other helpfulness in organizations. But I'm just acknowledging that he also is very polarizing and I had nothing to say about race whatsoever. I do appreciate your post, and I do express my condolences. But I also don't feel like the response was called for at all.

Sen, we're going to have to work on your flouncing skills ;)

I knooooooow! I suck at flouncing. LOL

TJMS was profound and heartwarming this morning. :)

They talked about how he got many high schoolers their first jobs. They talked about how he gave many people hope for their futures. They talked about how he would show up at the Go-Go and people would shout "go Marion Barry" and he'd do a quick two-step and be done.

D.C. (the original Chocolate City) would be a lot different had it not been for Mayor for Life Barry and the people like him who did what they did despite personal shortcomings and struggles.

Unfortunately, the politicians who get the most done have to be the most sleazy. Mayor Daley, used above as an example of similar corruption, achieved remarkable things for Chicago. And my favorite, John Rostenkowski who ended up going to jail was known to many a Chicagoan as "he may be a sleazeball, but he's OUR sleazeball."

If you want to get anything real accomplished in our political system you have to be willing to cut corners. Is that wrong? Absolutely, but boy scouts never got anything done in Washington or any other capital for that matter.

And on a similar issue, politicians as a group have to think they are better than the rest of us. Without that arrogance and superiority no one would ever run. The best we can hope for is that they use their powers for good instead of evil. I mean really, who could possibly think they are qualified to be president? Or the mayor of one of the most powerful, important and messed up cities in the entire world? Nobody in their right mind can think that highly of themselves.

Dan Rostenkowski

I've always considered it "less than classy" to throw shade about somebody in a thread announcing their passing and memorializing their life. (We know trolls do it, but they're trolls. Who really expects anymore from them?)

Heck, start another thread and chop it up about the +/- of what the person did on earth. That's fair game.

/standard disclaimers apply ..yes, this is GreekChat and anybody can post anything they want, blah, blah, blah./

May Bro. Barry rest easy.

My bad. Of course!

My condolences to his family and friends.

I had no idea he was a chemist, and left a PhD program in chemistry to go into what became his life's work. The obituaries have been very illuminating!

How is that even selling out? He accomplished something.

I have to say in reading the obit, I didn't know he was a chemist, as I've only known him as a politician. I know he hadn't been in the best of health over the past few years. Be at peace.

Don't feed the troll

http://www.nbcwashington.com/blogs/f...284643561.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...litical-elite/