"Gil put to words the heartfelt cries for justice and righteousness that many of us harbored..."

The following is a eulogy for Gil Scott-Heron, written by a Facebook friend:

"Gil put to words the heartfelt cries for justice and righteousness that many of us harbored, but had not the voice to speak. He was an enigmatic force that dared to be heard. Somebody had to say it like we wanted to hear. He was more than a black voice of rebellion --- his was a human roar of truth to power.

Gil’s poetic observations and poignant pokes at the pathology of the American dichotomy are timeless, rare and inspiring to others that strive for the same. Not one for vague euphemisms or illusive allegories, Gil spat his mind in-their-face and against-the-wall to trumpet it down. He was 12th Street Detroit ’67, 4 Dead at Kent State, the Chicago 7, Vietnam and “The War On Terror” Orwell / Huxleian premise for war profiteering and police state repression, cyber rights, et al, --- all in one meal to-go, with mystery desserts thrown in for free. He was taken down by the demons he fought against and those of his own that haunted him. I commiserate.

I had the privilege of interviewing him for my radio show “Radio Babylon”, in ’87 , before he performed at The Cubby Bear/Chicago. His voice will be missed, but he left us his words to reflect on and though events in song may be dated, the themes remain the same; they reveal that the struggle goes on and we can’t give in. It’s now the best of times and the worst of times but we’re still here to fight, in whatever way each can…handle your business."

:kick: