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| Editorials |
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Beachfront condos
| New York Beacon |
Guest Editorial
By Gloria Dulan Wilson
By Gloria Dulan Wilson
It was a beautiful day in the Neighborhood of Harlem. The sky
was bright. The weather was brisk, and thousands of people
were sitting shoulder-to-shoulder, elbow-to-elbow to honor the
life, times and memory of a beloved brother: PERCY ELLIS
SUTTON.
The entire three plus hour ceremony (which could have righteously
gone on for an entire day) was presided over by Rev. Dr. James
Forbes, minister former minister of Riverside Church, and a long
time family friend.
The ceremony fittingly began with the Black National Anthem: LIFT
EV'RY VOICE AND SING. Percy Sutton clearly had a hand in this.
It was a pet peeve of his when Black organizations either skipped
the song, put in the middle or at the end, or had a soloist who
sang it so well that the rest of the audience could not participate.
Former Mayor, David N. Dinkins stated reflectively, in reference to
their friendship, which will forever be known as “the Gang of Four
“: “We were four, now we are three.” But I kind of disagree
with that statement. While it’s true that the Honorable Percy
Sutton is no longer with us physically, he will always be with us
spiritually. In fact, I think <span style="font-weight:bold;"> Percy
Sutton was just as much a part of that homegoing ceremony as
were the thousands who gathered there to honor him. </span>
I could see him, sitting in front, at the top of the arches, with
those beautiful stained glass windows behind him; smiling
confidently and happily, as his granddaughter, Danielle Lee
Sutton, danced for him.
Or that immense look of pride as his first born granddaughter,
Keisha, spoke of his love for her. I could see him standing in front
of the Harlem Commonwealth Council, where he had his office for
decades, tipping his hat to the funeral procession as they passed
by in his honor. Or standing in front of the Apollo pointing to the
marquee with his name on it. It’s perhaps the first time in his long
involvement for the beloved theater that his name has actually
been up there in lights.
He beamed with pride as Attilah Shabazz stood and praised him
for having stood by her father and her family long before the
media knew who he was; long before the threats. And never left
or forsake them, even after Malcolm’s assassination, and Bette’s
tragic death. How he made sure they had what they needed all
through their formative years. What greater proof that Percy was
an eagle, rising above common turkeys who were afraid to take
stands or take a stake in the future of their people. She wore a
dash of Red in his honor (Kappa man that he was).
He watched with even greater pride, when US Attorney General
Eric Holder, who not only attended and spoke at his services, but
actually stayed throughout the entire ceremony. Holder spoke of
his love for Percy, who had employed and mentored him during his
fledgling years as a lawyer. “I admired him, I respected him; I
worked for him. Without Percy Sutton there would be no me,” he
stated matter of factly. Holder then read a letter to the family
from President and Ms. Barack Obama, who expressed their
deepest sympathy for their loss and their gratitude and
appreciation for all he has done for New York and African
Americans.
Governor David Paterson, could not have made him any prouder of
him than he already was when he stated, via satellite, that it was
Percy who persuaded him to seek political office. It was because
of his interaction with Percy and his equally famous father, and
member of the Gang of Four, Basil Paterson, that he found the
wisdom, support and mentorship to progress into ever more
responsible positions of public service. “He would address issues
in such a kind way, that even though he was criticizing you, you
thought that he was giving you a compliment.”
Inez Dickens acknowledged the Chairman by saying she would
definitely not have been elected to City Council had it not been for
the guidance of Percy Sutton. She also admitted that there were
also times when he was criticizing you and you definitely knew you
were being criticized.”
Rev. Jesse Jackson’s comparison to the galaxy, with each of Percy’
s accomplishments forming Points of light must have made him
smile. Stated Jackson, “Percy never stopped; from Texas to New
York to Africa, the Apollo, the SEEK program. He left more than he
found -- points of light; so many points of light his
accomplishments were like a galaxy of stars. No one has done so
much for so many for so long, This Christmas heaven had no finer
gift than Percy Sutton -- he represents the transitional forces in all
of us; a renaissance man. Rev. Al Sharpton, the Shabazz Family,
the Jacksons, they all claim him, he’s one of us. Points of light.
Wrote the script for Apollo Five.”
He was duly honored to learn that Mayor Bloomberg had named a
complex, a postal facility and a school in his honor. Though he
never sought those accolades, they pleased him hevertheless.
He probably was the only one <span style="font-weight:bold;"
>not</span> surprised that Stevie Wonder took the red-eye
overnight flight from California to be at his services. “Percy Sutton
is the reason that I have my own radio station,” stated the
“Wonderman”, who then played <span style="font-weight:bold;">
“AS”</span>, a hit from his “Songs in the Key of Life” album. Over
the years they had forged a very close and abiding friendship,
with Stevie considering Sutton a mentor and a friend. “I am so
happy for you that you were blessed to have had such a king in
your lives.”
Congressman Rangel, also of the "Gang of Four" apologized to his
wifel: “Leatrice,what can we say? We treated Percy like we
owned him. We never thought of leaving without consulting him.
Sometimes at 4:00 in the morning. Thank you for sharing him with
us. And you allowed us to do it. We are so grateful for your
sharing this great man. This entire world has felt the imprint of
this great man.”
The Congressman recounted that when a woman grabbed him,
crying over Percy’s transition, he asked her if she knew him. “She
said no, but Percy knew me.” “All I knew was Lenox Ave., the
only thing I missed was class, and Percy tried desperately to give
it to me. Percy made everybody feel like he was somebody.” “We
can’t all be Percy Sutton, but there is a little Percy Sutton in each
and every one of you. And I know, I feel that apart of my mission
is to make sure that Percy Sutton never dies. I will be meeting
with the President of the United States afternoon, and if I have
one message it is from Percy to make sure that health care is
nothing to bargain with. And Percy will always be in our hearts
and minds.”
And Basil Paterson, father of Gov. David Paterson, part of that
honored "Gang of Four," and second only to Sutton in being one of
the best dressed Black men in Harlem, spoke of the many
misadventures they embarked upon in trying to bring Harlem back
to life.
Tuskeegee Airman and friend Roscoe C. Brown, who knew Percy
since 1944, proudly wore his Tuskeegee Airman’s cap, as he spoke
of the audacity of Percy Sutton, who was the troop commander.
He recalled how Mr. Sutton sent them out on missions, based on
reports he received from base command. “To hear him tell it, the
Nazis didn’t stand a chance, and everything was under their
control, only to find it was nothing like he said. They would go into
combat and come back angry at him, only to have him respond,
“Well, you made it back, didn’t you.”
According to Brown, it was Percy Sutton who made the
recommendations for citation and make sure they were
embellished sufficiently so that there would be no way they could
be denied. Percy was also the creator of the New York City
Marathon. When the other Tuskeegee Airman stood in salute to
Percy, he, no doubt, saluted them back.
Hazel Dukes, President of the New York Chapter of the NAACP
recalled how she, as a young girl from Montgomery, Alabama, was
taken under his wing and assisted in receiving the education and
guidance she needed to rise in her career.
But when Rev. Al Sharpton, who had known Percy Sutton since he
was 12 years old, delivered the Eulogy, you really knew that Percy
Sutton was among us. It was Rev. Sharpton who said it best of
all. Recounting how Percy Sutton, at the age of 75, joined
hundreds of protesters during the Amadou Diallo debacle, laying
down on the concrete at One Police Plaza, to be arrested with
them. When Sharpton tried to dissuade them, he stated that he
had participated in Civil Rights protests in his youth, and he saw
no need to stop now.
Stated Al, vociferously, “Even though he was a multimillionaire,
the owner of radio stations and communication facilities, savior of
the Apollo, who could walk into the White House, or any where
else; he laid down for a West African boy who he never knew.”
When Percy turned in a paper to a teacher about an experience
he had with a pet, the teacher gave him a failing grade, accusing
him of plagiarizing a paper from an older brother who had written
on the same subject. Percy responded, now I understand what
the problem is. It’s not that I copied from my brother, it’s that we
wrote about the same dog. And the problem that Percy realized in
dealing with problems in society was that we were all fighting the
same dog. So when the media accused us of talking about the
same thing over and over again, it’s because we’re dealing with
the same dog.
When a “negro” complained that Civil Rights had done nothing for
him; he had gone to the right schools, taken the right courses,
met the right people, and that he became successful on his own:
“Civil rights didn’t write my resume!” Sharpton responded, “You’re
right. But Civil Rights made them read your resume.”
“We had to get America ready for the first Black congressman. We
were ready before Bill Dawson. America wasn’t ready. We were
ready for the first Black President, we had several candidates. But
if it wasn’t for Percy Sutton, we would have never been ready. He
changed America! “
Rev. Sharpton, upon visiting Mr. Sutton before his passing, saw a
look in his eyes that seemed to say: “I fought a good fight. It
started with my parents born in slavery. But I ended with my
grandchildren born in Black royalty. Started with -- and lawyers,
but I ended with a Black Attorney General. I fought a good fight.
Started with Harlem dilapidated -- Harlem, closed. All that was
there were rats and roaches. I bought the Apollo and the stage
and now it’s known all over the world. Don’t feel sorry for him,
because 100 years from now what he built will still be
remembered. What will they think about you? Percy Sutton lived
a life unequaled by anyone else in this town. Built radio stations,
opened theaters, opened up businesses, opened up
opportunities, political power; all in a life -- and been a husband,
father, grandfather.
“Someone said that Percy Sutton died, but Percy Sutton didn’t die,
he just passed away. Wherever there is a Black politician or a
Black elected official, that’s Percy Sutton. Percy Sutton passed on,
and in his passing, we’re glad he passed this way.
“Percy Sutton made you feel important, regardless of your station
in life. He never looked down on anyone. He saw the best in you
when you couldn’t see the best in yourself, and brought it out. He
made us feel important. And that’s why we love Percy Sutton. He
took the best of our ideas and made it into a radio station so that
the world could listen.“ He completed by saying that Percy Sutton
did not die, because “I am Percy Sutton!” In fact each and every
one in the service stood and said: I AM PERCY SUTTON!!”
Make no mistake about it, Percy Sutton has left some mighty big
shoes to fill. But it does not disturb him as much as it would have,
had he had left no path whatsoever to follow. He in fact left a
map in bold relief. I call it the GPS (Great Percy Sutton) positioning
system. It‘s there when you can‘t figure out which stand to take
when a Black person needs help; when you can‘t decide between
politically expedient and the needs of the people; when you can‘t
decide on quality vs. quantity. All you have to do is consult the
GPS and say, “WHAT WOULD PERCY SUTTON DO? If you do that,
you will always be on the right track. Never lost. He is always
here in spirit to continue guiding us in reaching the destinations he’
s reached, and beyond -- Not just for himself, but for his family of
people.
Whether you were able to personally attend his Homegoing
services, or you watched it on New York 1, or read it in the papers,
I am sure that by now you, too, realize that Percy Sutton was
moving on to his next great accomplishment. One that he has
been working on all his life, where the Eagle became an Angel. So
it was befitting that flautist, Bobbi Humphrey played R. Kelly’s “I
Believe I Can Fly.”
He was already soaring as an Eagle. But now he can do
something that he’s wanted to do all his life - be every where he
wants to be at the same time. Because the Angel of Percy Sutton
is with us all.
was bright. The weather was brisk, and thousands of people
were sitting shoulder-to-shoulder, elbow-to-elbow to honor the
life, times and memory of a beloved brother: PERCY ELLIS
SUTTON.
The entire three plus hour ceremony (which could have righteously
gone on for an entire day) was presided over by Rev. Dr. James
Forbes, minister former minister of Riverside Church, and a long
time family friend.
The ceremony fittingly began with the Black National Anthem: LIFT
EV'RY VOICE AND SING. Percy Sutton clearly had a hand in this.
It was a pet peeve of his when Black organizations either skipped
the song, put in the middle or at the end, or had a soloist who
sang it so well that the rest of the audience could not participate.
Former Mayor, David N. Dinkins stated reflectively, in reference to
their friendship, which will forever be known as “the Gang of Four
“: “We were four, now we are three.” But I kind of disagree
with that statement. While it’s true that the Honorable Percy
Sutton is no longer with us physically, he will always be with us
spiritually. In fact, I think <span style="font-weight:bold;"> Percy
Sutton was just as much a part of that homegoing ceremony as
were the thousands who gathered there to honor him. </span>
I could see him, sitting in front, at the top of the arches, with
those beautiful stained glass windows behind him; smiling
confidently and happily, as his granddaughter, Danielle Lee
Sutton, danced for him.
Or that immense look of pride as his first born granddaughter,
Keisha, spoke of his love for her. I could see him standing in front
of the Harlem Commonwealth Council, where he had his office for
decades, tipping his hat to the funeral procession as they passed
by in his honor. Or standing in front of the Apollo pointing to the
marquee with his name on it. It’s perhaps the first time in his long
involvement for the beloved theater that his name has actually
been up there in lights.
He beamed with pride as Attilah Shabazz stood and praised him
for having stood by her father and her family long before the
media knew who he was; long before the threats. And never left
or forsake them, even after Malcolm’s assassination, and Bette’s
tragic death. How he made sure they had what they needed all
through their formative years. What greater proof that Percy was
an eagle, rising above common turkeys who were afraid to take
stands or take a stake in the future of their people. She wore a
dash of Red in his honor (Kappa man that he was).
He watched with even greater pride, when US Attorney General
Eric Holder, who not only attended and spoke at his services, but
actually stayed throughout the entire ceremony. Holder spoke of
his love for Percy, who had employed and mentored him during his
fledgling years as a lawyer. “I admired him, I respected him; I
worked for him. Without Percy Sutton there would be no me,” he
stated matter of factly. Holder then read a letter to the family
from President and Ms. Barack Obama, who expressed their
deepest sympathy for their loss and their gratitude and
appreciation for all he has done for New York and African
Americans.
Governor David Paterson, could not have made him any prouder of
him than he already was when he stated, via satellite, that it was
Percy who persuaded him to seek political office. It was because
of his interaction with Percy and his equally famous father, and
member of the Gang of Four, Basil Paterson, that he found the
wisdom, support and mentorship to progress into ever more
responsible positions of public service. “He would address issues
in such a kind way, that even though he was criticizing you, you
thought that he was giving you a compliment.”
Inez Dickens acknowledged the Chairman by saying she would
definitely not have been elected to City Council had it not been for
the guidance of Percy Sutton. She also admitted that there were
also times when he was criticizing you and you definitely knew you
were being criticized.”
Rev. Jesse Jackson’s comparison to the galaxy, with each of Percy’
s accomplishments forming Points of light must have made him
smile. Stated Jackson, “Percy never stopped; from Texas to New
York to Africa, the Apollo, the SEEK program. He left more than he
found -- points of light; so many points of light his
accomplishments were like a galaxy of stars. No one has done so
much for so many for so long, This Christmas heaven had no finer
gift than Percy Sutton -- he represents the transitional forces in all
of us; a renaissance man. Rev. Al Sharpton, the Shabazz Family,
the Jacksons, they all claim him, he’s one of us. Points of light.
Wrote the script for Apollo Five.”
He was duly honored to learn that Mayor Bloomberg had named a
complex, a postal facility and a school in his honor. Though he
never sought those accolades, they pleased him hevertheless.
He probably was the only one <span style="font-weight:bold;"
>not</span> surprised that Stevie Wonder took the red-eye
overnight flight from California to be at his services. “Percy Sutton
is the reason that I have my own radio station,” stated the
“Wonderman”, who then played <span style="font-weight:bold;">
“AS”</span>, a hit from his “Songs in the Key of Life” album. Over
the years they had forged a very close and abiding friendship,
with Stevie considering Sutton a mentor and a friend. “I am so
happy for you that you were blessed to have had such a king in
your lives.”
Congressman Rangel, also of the "Gang of Four" apologized to his
wifel: “Leatrice,what can we say? We treated Percy like we
owned him. We never thought of leaving without consulting him.
Sometimes at 4:00 in the morning. Thank you for sharing him with
us. And you allowed us to do it. We are so grateful for your
sharing this great man. This entire world has felt the imprint of
this great man.”
The Congressman recounted that when a woman grabbed him,
crying over Percy’s transition, he asked her if she knew him. “She
said no, but Percy knew me.” “All I knew was Lenox Ave., the
only thing I missed was class, and Percy tried desperately to give
it to me. Percy made everybody feel like he was somebody.” “We
can’t all be Percy Sutton, but there is a little Percy Sutton in each
and every one of you. And I know, I feel that apart of my mission
is to make sure that Percy Sutton never dies. I will be meeting
with the President of the United States afternoon, and if I have
one message it is from Percy to make sure that health care is
nothing to bargain with. And Percy will always be in our hearts
and minds.”
And Basil Paterson, father of Gov. David Paterson, part of that
honored "Gang of Four," and second only to Sutton in being one of
the best dressed Black men in Harlem, spoke of the many
misadventures they embarked upon in trying to bring Harlem back
to life.
Tuskeegee Airman and friend Roscoe C. Brown, who knew Percy
since 1944, proudly wore his Tuskeegee Airman’s cap, as he spoke
of the audacity of Percy Sutton, who was the troop commander.
He recalled how Mr. Sutton sent them out on missions, based on
reports he received from base command. “To hear him tell it, the
Nazis didn’t stand a chance, and everything was under their
control, only to find it was nothing like he said. They would go into
combat and come back angry at him, only to have him respond,
“Well, you made it back, didn’t you.”
According to Brown, it was Percy Sutton who made the
recommendations for citation and make sure they were
embellished sufficiently so that there would be no way they could
be denied. Percy was also the creator of the New York City
Marathon. When the other Tuskeegee Airman stood in salute to
Percy, he, no doubt, saluted them back.
Hazel Dukes, President of the New York Chapter of the NAACP
recalled how she, as a young girl from Montgomery, Alabama, was
taken under his wing and assisted in receiving the education and
guidance she needed to rise in her career.
But when Rev. Al Sharpton, who had known Percy Sutton since he
was 12 years old, delivered the Eulogy, you really knew that Percy
Sutton was among us. It was Rev. Sharpton who said it best of
all. Recounting how Percy Sutton, at the age of 75, joined
hundreds of protesters during the Amadou Diallo debacle, laying
down on the concrete at One Police Plaza, to be arrested with
them. When Sharpton tried to dissuade them, he stated that he
had participated in Civil Rights protests in his youth, and he saw
no need to stop now.
Stated Al, vociferously, “Even though he was a multimillionaire,
the owner of radio stations and communication facilities, savior of
the Apollo, who could walk into the White House, or any where
else; he laid down for a West African boy who he never knew.”
When Percy turned in a paper to a teacher about an experience
he had with a pet, the teacher gave him a failing grade, accusing
him of plagiarizing a paper from an older brother who had written
on the same subject. Percy responded, now I understand what
the problem is. It’s not that I copied from my brother, it’s that we
wrote about the same dog. And the problem that Percy realized in
dealing with problems in society was that we were all fighting the
same dog. So when the media accused us of talking about the
same thing over and over again, it’s because we’re dealing with
the same dog.
When a “negro” complained that Civil Rights had done nothing for
him; he had gone to the right schools, taken the right courses,
met the right people, and that he became successful on his own:
“Civil rights didn’t write my resume!” Sharpton responded, “You’re
right. But Civil Rights made them read your resume.”
“We had to get America ready for the first Black congressman. We
were ready before Bill Dawson. America wasn’t ready. We were
ready for the first Black President, we had several candidates. But
if it wasn’t for Percy Sutton, we would have never been ready. He
changed America! “
Rev. Sharpton, upon visiting Mr. Sutton before his passing, saw a
look in his eyes that seemed to say: “I fought a good fight. It
started with my parents born in slavery. But I ended with my
grandchildren born in Black royalty. Started with -- and lawyers,
but I ended with a Black Attorney General. I fought a good fight.
Started with Harlem dilapidated -- Harlem, closed. All that was
there were rats and roaches. I bought the Apollo and the stage
and now it’s known all over the world. Don’t feel sorry for him,
because 100 years from now what he built will still be
remembered. What will they think about you? Percy Sutton lived
a life unequaled by anyone else in this town. Built radio stations,
opened theaters, opened up businesses, opened up
opportunities, political power; all in a life -- and been a husband,
father, grandfather.
“Someone said that Percy Sutton died, but Percy Sutton didn’t die,
he just passed away. Wherever there is a Black politician or a
Black elected official, that’s Percy Sutton. Percy Sutton passed on,
and in his passing, we’re glad he passed this way.
“Percy Sutton made you feel important, regardless of your station
in life. He never looked down on anyone. He saw the best in you
when you couldn’t see the best in yourself, and brought it out. He
made us feel important. And that’s why we love Percy Sutton. He
took the best of our ideas and made it into a radio station so that
the world could listen.“ He completed by saying that Percy Sutton
did not die, because “I am Percy Sutton!” In fact each and every
one in the service stood and said: I AM PERCY SUTTON!!”
Make no mistake about it, Percy Sutton has left some mighty big
shoes to fill. But it does not disturb him as much as it would have,
had he had left no path whatsoever to follow. He in fact left a
map in bold relief. I call it the GPS (Great Percy Sutton) positioning
system. It‘s there when you can‘t figure out which stand to take
when a Black person needs help; when you can‘t decide between
politically expedient and the needs of the people; when you can‘t
decide on quality vs. quantity. All you have to do is consult the
GPS and say, “WHAT WOULD PERCY SUTTON DO? If you do that,
you will always be on the right track. Never lost. He is always
here in spirit to continue guiding us in reaching the destinations he’
s reached, and beyond -- Not just for himself, but for his family of
people.
Whether you were able to personally attend his Homegoing
services, or you watched it on New York 1, or read it in the papers,
I am sure that by now you, too, realize that Percy Sutton was
moving on to his next great accomplishment. One that he has
been working on all his life, where the Eagle became an Angel. So
it was befitting that flautist, Bobbi Humphrey played R. Kelly’s “I
Believe I Can Fly.”
He was already soaring as an Eagle. But now he can do
something that he’s wanted to do all his life - be every where he
wants to be at the same time. Because the Angel of Percy Sutton
is with us all.