The Passing of a great Black father - McKinley Armstrong

"Love lives forever" -- Stevie Wonder






McKinley Armstrong
Teacher/Maker of Giants




Jenice Armstrong
award-winning journalist

Dear friends,

We all come into this world - going out. We forget that, while we're here "caught up in the throes", as it were. Nevertheless, recently, a very dear friend of mine, Jen Armstrong of the Philadelphia Daily News, lost her father. Her work appears on this blog, at times.

In any case, on the link below, Jen not only shows immeasurable appreciation for her Dad, but she also urges us to show our gratitude to so many other great Black fathers. Cheers!

G. Djata Bumpus
ttp://www.philly.com/dailynews/features/20100224_Jenice_Armstrong__Here_s_to_a_great_Dad.html


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The Detroit Bodysnatcher - a short video

"Apart from showing that those who do both the hardest and most of the work receive the least compensation, it also points to one of those important jobs that many of us may prefer not to do. However, imagine if no one did it..."

Dear friends,

As the new year begins, and while folks are trying to commit themselves to a variety of "resolutions", please remember that we should be grateful to be able to feed ourselves without having to beg or steal for our nutrients.

At any rate, on the link below is a short video from the New York Times online edition. Apart from showing that those who do both the hardest and most of the work receive the least compensation, it also points to one of those important jobs that many of us may prefer not to do. However, imagine if no one did it.

Happy New Year!!!

G. Djata Bumpus
http://video.nytimes.com/video/2006/08/25/us/1194817103426/chat-with-a-detroit-corpse-collector.html
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Sandy Banks on "Second Sunday of December, a Time to Remember"

"The death of a child you birthed and raised, scolded and praised, worried over and celebrated is unlike any other pain. And it doesn't matter if they are 4 years old, or 45, as my husband was."


Dear friends,

I read this piece, on the link below, from a friend who writes for the Los Angeles Times, Sandy Banks. Her work appears on this blog, from time-to-time. Nevertheless, her most recent column is a very powerful and touching one about losing a child - the worst event that a parent can ever experience. Moreover, in our holiday spirit, we should not forget that this is a painful time for many.

One Love,
G. Djata Bumpus
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-banks12-2009dec12,0,7274539,full.column
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