Picture by Kun Luv
Hear me out.
I have always been of the opinion that Seattle’s Black community is fragmented in more ways than 1.
“Unity” is an example. There simply isn’t enough of it where we are concerned. Everyone is on their own thing, which is understandable because, hey, no one can take care of you like you can, but still. The police and the city are constantly noting that gangs exist in each community, and they all have beef with each other.
It’s ironic because we have strong neighborhoods here. Okay, they may not be perfect, but they are are almost completely self sufficient. Each neighborhood has their own grocery, library, barber, salon, bangin’ food joints, neighborhood newspapers and blog, doctors, dentists, schools, sports associations, it never ends. Its great that communities are more “convenient” places to live, but convenience comes with a price; we aren’t forced to know each other the way that we should.
Last night at Columbia City Theater changed that perception for me. I have lived in Seattle et al all of my life. I have written about murder after murder, after murder, even losing my own brother to these insane streets.
I have worked as a community organizer, a civil rights activist, and an advocate for minority communities and I have never seen what was presented to me last night.
I had very high hopes for the Tyrone Love Benefit Concert, but was unsure what to expect. I arrived 30 minutes early, and the main theater was already at standing room only. Tables were removed to make way for more seating, and folks were asked repeatedly to share their tables to make room for as many as possible. To put it lightly, the joint was packed. I mean packed. People from all walks of life were there. 21 year olds mingled with 51 year olds. White, Black, you name it, everyone came out for T.
Tyrone’s mother and sister attended the event. Even with the hundreds of bodies in the room, his mother sat in my direct line of sight; I witnessed her staring off at times, and at other times, looking around the room with wonder in her eyes. All these people, for her son? Yes. All for Tyrone. And for our community. And for her, and the rest of T’s family.
There were times, sitting in the back of the room with my good friend Susanna, that I wanted to put my head in my hands and sob, the energy was totally overwhelming. I saw our community in a way never seen before.
We came together for a common cause. We all had our eyes on the same prize, and we reached it together. Everyone stayed positive towards each other. The love in the room was absolutely intoxicating. We really needed to do this, all of us. We needed to show the Love family, and show the rest of Seattle that we are better than this hatred and violence that have touched our lives. We are better than those among us who know something about these killings yet remain silent. We are better than the “thug” culture and the “bling” lifestyle. Yes, we have feelings, yes, we know how to prioritize, and yes, we love our community. We love and honor those who shine, who give back, who bless us with our lives. We needed to do this.
It was so much pride, so much elation, so much shock, that words really can’t do it justice. I will never be able to discribe for those who were not there, what the night was like, and I feel honored to have witnessed it.
I couldn’t help but look around the theater and wonder, what else can be done wtih this energy that Kun and the rest of the organizers seem to have been able to take control of. This is truly neighborhood organizing on a whole different level.
Not only did we need to reclaim and take control over our reputation in the larger Seattle scene, not only did we have to show the Love family what T. was a part of, but we needed to raise money; thousands of dollars to cover his funeral and other expenses- money the family simply did not have. In less than a week the community came together and raised more than $17,000.00 to lay Tyrone to rest with dignity, love and respect. See you at the service. Peace.
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This brought me to tears, but also made me happy. Thanks.
Thank you so much for reporting back as to how this went. I was worried about attendance for the same reasons you were. It looks like it was one fantastic event!