By: Miles Jaye 
(July 4, 2007) The satin-finish, ebonystretch
bowed to the crimson
carpet curb with a single open
port. It’s precious cargo
emerged, ascending like a
Genie from Aladdin’s lamp in
a perfect nimbus cloud.
First the snow-white leather
slippers and stockings, the
custom-tailored Nehru
collared, single-breasted white
linen suit with crisp white shirt
and silk tie.
The immaculately-crafted,
ivory woolen crown, the
cascading beard hinting of
peaceful pearls of effervescent
foam of a hidden brook yet at
once faint rumblings of
distance defiant thunders of
Victoria Falls framed his
placid face.
Fully free of disembarkation,
a quick survey of the
venue, then the steps begin.
His steps were Ailey-like
and measured—adagio, regal.
The steps were a runner’s
steps—after too many races to
remember how many had been
won.
The steps were a marcher’s
steps ready to forge ahead into
harm’s way for the sake of
purpose and principle. They
were the steps of a brave man
– a man of courage and
substance.
The steps were the simple
steps of a humble man that
have carried this wisest of men
before the least among us and
the greatest among us with no
shift in tempo or gate.
I observed from the lobby
in awe and then I proceeded to
the entrance to greet the
honoree.
Once clear of the red
carpet’s suspension of time the
hand extended and the head
lowered ever so slightly in the
peaceful greeting of one of
God’s greatest acts of love –
Richard Claxton Gregory.
I believe that whenever
God sets among us a common
man or woman—a product of
modest environment and
humble beginnings— and
blesses that individual with the
ability to demonstrate God’s
love through their life, it is a
uniquely special gift to us all.
Dick Gregory is such a man
– Dick Gregory is such a gift.
Dick Gregory is the true
measure of a man.
I have, as have many
others, referred to Mr. Gregory
as a father-figure.
Through time it has become
apparent to me that he is much
more than that.
He is a father-figure for
father figures.
It is not at all uncommon in
the music business for us to
select a mentor or a hero we
wish to emulate—someone
who’s playing style and
lifestyle we are comfortable
emulating.
Guitarists look upon Jimi
Hendrix as a demi-God.
Sax players look to John
Coltrane or Charlie Parker for
direction.
Trumpeters of today still
study Louis Armstrong.
Pianists revere Oscar
Peterson.
I’m not a trumpet player but
Miles Davis is my artistic
compass.
Davis represents artistry for
arts sake; not for the sake of
industry or popularity, but for
art.
That philosophy has
become my roadmap and in
many respects I view him as
one measure of a man for his
willingness to endure criticism
and scorn for the sake of his
convictions.
When I think of Dick
Gregory as an influence I
suddenly realize he has
touched the way I see the
world. Then I ask myself why
so many have not partaken of
his gift of wisdom.
Imagine the music industry
if today’s voices of rap and hip
hop were more reflective of
such wisdom. The voices of
reason and compassion and
challenge quickly become
unpopular.
Imagine the music world if
the voices of romance were
more reflective of a real man’s
sense of partnership and relationship
and not just the
simplest most basic expressions
of titillation.
We have so much to learn.
There is so much we need.
There are so many of us
who are hurting and in dire
need of healing — not “Sexual
Healing” but spiritual and
mental healing— and leadership
and direction is at draught
levels.
Dick Gregory makes me
consider the way I address the
nourishment of my mind and
my body.
He makes me read more;
listen more carefully and
process.
He reminds me of common
sense.
He reminds to laugh more.
He reminds me to be passionate,
not angry, and he can
explain the difference between
the two. He can explain the
effects of anger on my physiology.
He reminds us that fear and
God cannot occupy the same
space.
He can explain the effects
of fear on our bodies and our
families, our communities, our
nation and our world.
He reminds us to forgive.
He reminds me of the
importance of honesty – first
with self, then with others.
Dick Gregory is a loving
husband to his wife, Lillian,
and a father to their 10
children.
By his example he reminds
brothers everywhere of the
value of husbandhood and
fatherhood.
He reminds us of compassion
rather than violence in
ways that are poignant and
compelling.
He reminds us of raindrops
and speaks of a God that made
us with value as individuals
whose one purpose is to return
to the river, the ocean, the
heavens, to God.
This year we celebrate the
75th birthday of a living
legend; someone we can
regard as a true hero, living
history and in the most
relevant sense, the measure of
a man.
Happy Birthday Dick
Gregory!
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