First, thank you Cynthia Bean for sharing Pete Frazier’s comments in “Cynt 2 Cents” yesterday. If it wasn’t for reading your newsletter I would have missed Pete Frazier’s post entirely. These new algorithms on Facebook are making it hard to stay in touch with everyone.
Pete Frazier's Facebook Comment | I share some of Pete Frazier’s sentiments. However, I must be honest that I went through different waves of emotion about so much news on death in our steppin’ community. When I heard about “Law” I was devastated. The last time I saw him I said hello but did not get a chance to dance with him. He was always someone that made me dance without a count. Then I saw comments without photos on Facebook about “Dre.” First, I thought it was Andre Blackwell and immediately shocked, said out loud, “What?!!” Then I saw comments with photos and thought “oh, I don’t think I ever met or spoke with this man. I may have heard the name Peanut before.” In three days my Facebook newsfeed has been flooded with accolades and great words about this man I never knew about from different people. Now, I was a little surprised and miffed. How can someone so kind, respected and influential not be known? His name is foreign to and unknown to many younger steppers. Why is he only given social awareness and attention in the public when he’s no longer alive? Royce Banks gave me some relief and answers later. His post revealed reasons why and helped me understand the reasons “Peanut” was not a popular name or face to newer generation steppers in other states or in social media until now. I wish I knew more about him. | Royce Banks Facebook Comment |
I think Pete’s initiative is one step. One of the reasons I remain a die-hard stepper is not just about the dance, but about the relationships I build with people that I connect with and who really show they care. We have got to love each other every day and a part of loving is staying in tune with what is going on with our friends and family and being aware of each other – mentally, physically and socially. It is everyone’s personal responsibility to stay healthy and when something isn’t right tell somebody who loves you and cares about you. Let’s talk to each other. Don’t wait until we are not well. I know that I won’t know everyone and it’s no one’s responsibility to tell me who they are, so I’ll do my part to continue to get out there and get to know the steppers around me.
There are some free services available and accessible to many (not everyone) but a lot of people have the knowledge and resources but don’t use them. In Jamaica, as a teenager, I was very angry with my father and let him know. I believed something was wrong with his health and begged him to go to the doctor but he refused to go. When he fainted on stage in front of his entire college of students, he was rushed to the hospital. He was diagnosed with stage four cancer and kept it a secret from me his youngest child. It was too late. He died in 1995. From my Father’s death, I learned awareness is the biggest blessing in a situation out of your control – not just for the person but for friends and family who still support, live and cope. When you don’t know “at all,” it hurts the most. It’s as if you become as ill as the person – maybe not physically but mentally and emotionally.
We should take care of ourselves all around. Thank you Pete Frazier for a step in the right direction teaming up with Blue Cross Blue Shield. Steppers let’s also do our part and use the services as they are available to us. Love each other – every day – not just one day for the year. If you see me in Chicago this weekend, just smile or give me a hug or both. For me, it starts there. If you plan to be at the Heritage Ball in Atlanta, the itinerary already includes seminars on “Detoxing the Body” and the “Health and Steppin Live Broadcast” with Lamont Watts and the “11th Annual Health Fair.” I hope this starts a reaction of health activities and opportunities for many more cities outside of Chicago.
