02/03/2020
Very interesting editorial by Bankole Thompson:
"No matter how busy we are with the demands of life, including our professional and personal obligations, death could knock on our door anytime. Death doesn’t discriminate based on the color of your skin or how much wealth you’ve accumulated. After the hustle and bustle of life, each of us will arrive at the end. It's a painful, scary reality we can't escape. Yet after the sudden tragedy that cut Bryant’s life short, the question that remains is whether any of us will be ready when death comes calling.
I cannot tell if Bryant was ready to meet his fate. But one thing is clear: He left a remarkable and indomitable legacy that must be carried on from one generation to the other. His spellbinding and illustrious career should not end with the fact that he and his beloved daughter died. Bryant's death underscores the importance of leaving a legacy that others can emulate in building the next generation of heroes, basketball stars and worthy ambassadors of the black community. The kind of legacy we leave behind determines how we will be remembered by others, and the greatest legacy is one that positively influences children to see our lives as a light that guides their path in life.
Already LeBron James, one of the greatest players of the modern era, has pledged to continue Bryant’s legacy. In an emotional social media post on Instagram, James vowed that his own life would continue be a living evidence of his friend’s work and impact. “I’m heartbroken and devastated, my brother. I promise you I’ll continue your legacy. You mean so much to us all here especially LakersNation. ... Please give me the strength from the heavens above and watch over me,” James wrote in an ode to Bryant. It should not only be James who makes this public commitment and vows to see it through. He is an extraordinary figure with deep social consciousness, who has taken his talents and riches beyond the basketball court to the arena of social justice by helping underserved communities in his hometown. I have no doubt that James would do something monumental at some point to uphold the legacy of Bryant."
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/columnists/bankole-thompson/2020/01/30/bankole-kobe-bryant-and-ultimate-question/4607848002/
