Poet's Soapbox

STEPPIN BACK!
Thoughts about the heart of the movement
by Bruce K. Woods

Three powerful and longstanding voices in the creative
arts community played their last expressive riff, and
faded into exquisite blackness. They represent three
voices that are irreplaceable, unforgettable, to the
point of defining us as artists and as black people.

This triumvirate - Jazz organist supreme Jimmy Smith,
the master actor, orator, proverbial King of Harlem,
Ossie Davis and the mad, “sygnifyin” creator Oscar
Brown Jr. has left us. The question remains – Where
and What
did they exactly leave us?

Their passing brought forth a question, which has
weighed heavily on my mind recently. A few weeks
ago, I had dialogue with a friend of mine concerning Dr.
Martin Luther King and how his methods affected how
we react and respond today. What she said made a
good deal of sense on the surface. However, it stirred
a feeling of deeper thought, which ultimately led to a
deeper appreciation of the Reverend Doctor.

In her view, Dr. King’s approach and policies ultimately
weakened the cause. She felt that the complete non-
violent approach made us more timid in our desire at
making gains, and capturing our civil rights – beyond
the initial revelations and successes of the movement.
The feeling was that to follow-up the early work,
measures that are more forceful were necessary, in
order to fully achieve our “dream”.
Pre-Muslim Malcolm, as well as activists such as
Stokely and The Panthers had expressed divergent
and differing thoughts and ideas.
Therefore, this was not old thought. However, in
reviewing the lives of these three artistic masters, they
expressed a power and the vigor – through their song,
their lives and their art – Which gave an illustration of
the times and an example of the power that was Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr.

As the old saying goes - Art imitates Life.

I cannot list all the specific achievements and
accomplishment attained by the great Ossie Davis. The
roles, which he should have garnered, an Oscar,
escape me. I do know he was the writer of Purlie
Victorious the great stage play. I do know about the
events surrounding “The Man called Adam”, which
Sammy D had to intercede in order to save his gig.
Reason being his eulogy for Malcolm was so powerful;
it scared the suits in Hollywood. Thank you Sammy. I
do know that he was the old guy in the Spike flicks.

Bottom-line we just knew it was Ossie. We just knew
that at one point, he would unleash his power and
captivate us – drive us to deal with whatever issues Mr.
Davis choose to express. He was the eulogistic
spokesperson for both Malcolm and Martin. He was the
voice of a people. He single handedly made it cool to
love Harlem – even during the ghetto-fication they tried
to place there. And you never saw this black father
without our black Mom Ruby D.

Somewhere I have a copy of the Sermon, and maybe
something else that he recorded. However, like Ossie,
that was definitely not the point. Jimmy Smith was the
unchallenged “baddest” Hammond B playa of all time –
THE greatest organist in history…and he would not
hesitate to tell you. What I thought was deep was that I
never read a challenge to the throne. I never read
about limitations, hesitations, or degradations. He was
the baddest!
And the latest loss, which shook and reverberated my
thoughts and ideals was that of the Jazz Lyricist, the
jazz orator possibly the music voice of the King era.
Oscar Brown Jr.
He gave Miles words, without diminishing Miles; he
gained commercial popularity without taking a step
back…or compromising. Did NOT take a step back.

So, what exactly is the point here? They are all
powerful contemporaries of the civil rights period.
They all attained commercial success and visibility,
without compromising who they were and what they
stood for. They never “took a step back.” In addition,
they will look at you dead center while expressing what
they felt and how they feel, and what they believed in,
regardless of the circumstance.

Doctor Martin Luther King came to prominence as an
obscure 27-year-old young boy preacher. A young
man, whom at such a young age, took on the fear in all
of us, faced them and got things done. Took on the
challenge without wavering…staring you dead center,
telling you what he would get done, and doing it,
despite what Bull and Wallace felt or did.

Yeah he taught and preached non-violence, but the
brotha never ran, never cried. He expressed in his own
way that he was a “bad” man. Even when things went
against him – His Chicago move was less than
successful – But the brother never turned down a fight.
He fought for his people. He fought for freedom and
equality for the black race. Not just for integration, that
remains a misinterpretation. Dr. King fought his fight for
the desegregation of a racist society, so that your
children could have access into those things we pray
for our children to have – equal rights, equal
opportunity and a little justice. Of course, our secret
goal is to have seen - one time, Dr. King whuppin
somebody’s butt. I would not bet against him. Whap!
“Now spray your hose!”

Taking a step back! Jimmy Smith hitting the high notes
nobody else could hit. Ossie’s voice resonating loud
strong and proud - making us feel loud, strong, and
proud of ourselves. Oscar talking about the signifying
monkey, making the curators of the cultural
mainstream laugh at themselves. Taking NO step back.
Facing it straight in the eye.

Now thinking about what all these men provided us.
Thinking about their sacrifices, their love for people
and music and cinema or let me drink at what used to
be a white’s only fountain, or being able to buy spring
water at some counter who wouldn’t serve me, and
couple of years ago.
Taking a step back. Maybe that is the answer. Maybe
the solution is as simple as that. Maybe we should just
take a step back. Reflect, Rebuild. Cause the fight
never ends. Moreover, we need to stare dead center.
Rest in Peace my brothers. You fought well, you loved
well, and will always have a place in our hearts and
minds forever – I hope.

***Dedicated to the memories presented and
appreciated by the “Guy with the Goods” Georgie
Woods, who passed away this week, June 19th , at the
age of 79.
He completely exemplified the quality of the 4 men
mentioned above. He marched with one, worked with
one, and he definitely played the hits of the other two.
Rest namesake – You did work.