Cicely Tyson - Always Representin'

Every time one of them passes, I feel a part of my spirit lifted up and away. 

Cicely Tyson, our shining and enduring black actress, whose portrayal of strong black women onscreen was a godsend, has passed on. In a time when movies featuring strong black women were few and far in between, Cicely was the the one who carried the torch for us. Onscreen, she represented my mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and every good black woman in my life. Her pride and strength became our pride and strength in our daily tussle with America.

"Sounder" and "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman" are my best memories of Cicely's portrayals. Watching those made for television shows back in the early 1970's was a family affair. We all hunkered down in front of that newly purchased floor model Magnavox television set and got lost in stories about our peoples struggles against inequality. 

Those were some of the best lessons on history of race in America we kids received. School did not teach about slavery or race inequality back then. These movies aired a few years before the 1977 mini-series "Roots," which was shocking in its depiction of atrocities against blacks during the era of slavery. Everyone, black and white, got a lesson from "Roots." And so the struggle against racism and inequality continues. 

What Cicely Tyson represented was so much more than the ugliness of fighting against racism for change. She was so naturally beautiful, with a smile that seemed almost unreal. When her mouth formed into a smile her eyes seemed to twinkle with an unmistakable energy. I didn't know that she started out as a model; its not surprising. 

Thank you Cicely Tyson for the pride and strength you so courageously instilled in roles as leading black women.

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven" - Ecclesiastes 3.1