"For us, warriors are not what you think of as warriors. The warrior is not someone who fights, because no one has the right to take another's life. The warrior, for us, is one who sacrifices himself for the good of others. His task is to take care of the elderly, the defenseless, those who can not provide for themselves, and above all, the children, the future of humanity." ---Sitting Bull(February 13, 1947 - December 1, 2008)
Dear friends,
Although the passing of a loved one is never timely, I am both honored and proud to have known Steve Coons for most of my adult life. He was a father, longtime economics professor, and activist/scholar. But what I knew him to be most proud of was his accomplishments in his role as a father to his children and many others.
We enjoyed talking with each other about many issues. Parenting, political/social concepts, and boxing were our favorite topics to discuss. The talks were sometimes charged with sincerity, but in a loving way. We shared ideas.
Steve and I watched our progeny grow from being small children to becoming extremely competent adults. In our personal e-mails, over the years, we often bragged/teased each other, so proudly, asserting our roles as "proud Papis". He even has grandchildren, by the way.
He visited my boxing school only a couple of years ago. He was accompanied by one of his beautiful and incredibly talented daughters - Michelle. The pair had come back to Western Mssachusetts from California, for a few weeks, as Steve sought further expertise in dealing with his medical condition (cancer). In the picture below, he appears with Michelle and my brother Eshu (who shared a lifelong best friendship with Steve), and myself, immediately prior to the four of us going to "greeze" at a great local seafood restaurant.
left to right - Djata, Steve, Michelle, Eshu
Earlier this year, when I established this blog, I received a much-appreciated comment about the blog from Steve. It reads:
Gosh Djata! This is very impressive, also "positive" as all get-out! Way to go Brotha'! Very positive! I see you're a doer! Good inspiration for me. Everytime I go to get serious about my writing, I seem to have a setback due to my health issue. Nonetheless, in terms of your blog,....I'm glad I opened it up! I read the wonderful Father's Day message, then saw the Introduction video on one of your local new's stations covering You and your gym.
I know my younger brother, Robert, would probably enjoy that (being a boxing coach, himself). Lastly, I saw the excerpt from the Panther play, which, of course,is based on the book (you gave me a copy of the book the last time we were back East).
I, particularly, like the words on Mom. Give her my best!
I liked your bio in there as well! I will read the rest of the Blog data/info later as I didn't have a good day today. Nevertheless, the main reason I am responding, of course, is to congratulate you on the (new) impressive blog! Great job Djata! Keep-up the good work!
Regards,
Bro' Steve
P.S. I will send the blog address to as many people as I can (starting with my family members)!
I thanked Steve back then, in June, for his generous comments. Additionally, I was happy to let him know recently that this blog is now being read by people in thirteen countries around the world. To be sure, what I share here and have shared before is in no small part due to my spirited discussions with Steve Coons. Moreover, he is not dead, per se; rather, his existence has taken on a new form. That is, his legacy will be carried on by his children, grandchildren, other loved ones, and all those he taught from the East Coast to the West Coast, during the past several decades. Moreover, as another great Steve (Wonder) once put it: Love lives forever.
Much Love to the Coons family - Always.
G. Djata Bumpus
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