Like most music lovers, I'm shocked and saddened at the recent passing of James Brown, another one of our musical icons who has now joined Jimmy Smith and a host of other stellar musicians in the heavenly music band.
Not to diminish his musical accomplishments and influence, there is another side to Brown that has always been a puzzle and a disappointment to me, and perhaps to others like myself. It is the contradiction between the many inspiring words and messages in his songs, and the choices in his personal private life that belied his public messages.
How does a man who said 'he was Black and he was proud', choose to support a succession of White wives, the last of whom was 37 years younger than himself? Is it only me that finds this to be very odd, or am I being too critical and unwilling to accept his choices, which definitely didn't match his public utterances?
Another oddity was his choice of the 'superfly' pimp-style hairdo that was his trademark. Am I to view this as merely a show-biz prop, and not a revelation of his true mind-set and world view?
What about his numerous arrests and convictions for spousal battery, as well as the prison terms he served for other misdeeds?
I guess what I'm saying, is little of his behavior and choices are consistent with someone who I feel truly exemplifies being 'Black and being Proud'. I would love to be able to cite him as an example my grand kids could proudly follow.
Sadly, in his case, I don't think I can bring myself to do so.
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