A Tribute to a Pioneer

It wasn't until graduate school that I heard of her, my first year of graduate school to be exact. It was the irony of the similarity in her last name of one of my fellow grad friends that jolted my memory of her name when I read about articles about her this past May.


This year, Memorial Day weekend commemorated 25 years of the death of Chicago journalism pioneer Leanita McClain. She was 32 years old when she died from her own hands of an overdose of prescription medication. Unfortunately, she was another person who suffered from depression in the African-American community. Although she was part of the elite (the first African-American and the second woman to sit on the editorial board for the Chicago Tribune), she simply wasn't happy--and that was that. Not all the brownstones in Hyde Park or trips around the world could bring joy to McClain. Whoever money and prestige can't buy you happiness may have been on to something.


Upon my reading of the articles in tribute to her, I spent the next two hours researching every article on the Internet I could find about her. I shushed my sister as she greeted me when she walked through the doors from work. I wanted to read more about her. I had to read more about her. Obsessed is what my sis called me, I prefer to think of it more as intrigued.


It was a chance meeting at my part-time job and the ways God aligned the stars one day that blessed me with the opportunity to meet her best friend and fellow colleague, Mr. Monroe Anderson. We met a week later for coffee and discussed her as a journalist and as a person. I was linked to other contacts who knew her and spoke with them as well. But, after speaking with these individuals, I continue to search for that one infamous question that they nor any news article could tell me--WHY? Why would an intelligent, successful, beautiful (who seemed vibrant), compassionate, YOUNG woman end her own life? It's a question I wondered about as well with the late and great songstress Phyllis Hyman (and still wonder about)...Unfortunately, I think it's a question I'll never get the answer to. It's not as if they can come back and tell me themselves...


If Ms. McClain were here, I would thank her. I would thank her for what she did for journalism. I would pay gratitude to her for being that only black woman in board rooms and in her Northwestern classroom, which paved for the way for people like me. I would thank for being the voice of the common folk in Chicago. I would pick apart her brain as to what she thinks about President Barack Obama and the simiarities and differences in his election to that of the late Mayor Harold Washington. I would ask her about her writing techniques and why shw wrote such a charged and daring piece in her infamous essay, "How Chicago Taught Me To Hate Whites".


So, instead I'll pay it forward and follow my dreams as a writer and continue to be the voice for those who don't have one.

I Just Can't Escape Ignorance, No Matter Where I Go!

As I completed my evening cleaning, I decided to wander on Facebook for a while (surprise, surprise LOL). As I look on one of my friend's wall, what do I happen to see? A profile picture of one of her friends that depicts Hitler with a swastika one on half of the pic and President Barack Obama with an American flag on the other half. But, the kicker is the title underneath. It reads: "Same Shit, Different Asshole". Wow...

So, I'm kind of speechless at the moment. I mean, comparing President Obama to Hitler--really? Seriously? I knew people were ignorant, but geez that's just plain hateful!

I feel sorry for the individual whose profile picture it is, but in a way I feel angry. REALLY ANGRY. I know everyone is entitled to his or her opinion (in regards to politics, religion, etc.), but why continue to pass around the ignorance? It's no secret to anyone who knows me is aware of my admiration and respect for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. I realize I need to develop tough skin in regards to the strong (and unreasonable) criticism he and his family face what seems like DAILY! Don't get me started on this birth certificate business (I digress). I can respect people who are skeptic, but it's a complete different ball game to be full of spite and venom!

He's been in office for less than a year and Bush was given eight. You do the math...

The point is I know President Obama is not perfect. But, he makes sense! Much more sense than our previous leader. He's real, he's refreshing and he's hopeful. People need that right now!

I need that right now...