Celebration of the Life of Dr. Manning Marable on the Morningside
Campus of Columbia University, Roone Alredge Auditorium, Lerner Hall on
May 26, 2011. Eulogy for Dr. Manning Marable delivered by Sojourner
Marable Grimmett.
On behalf of my older sister, Malaika, and twin brother, Joshua, we
want to thank you for joining us this evening, to celebrate the life of
an extraordinary and inspirational man, and above all, an exceptional
Father. On this day, and every day, it makes us proud to honor a true
champion for our people, whom he so loved, our Dad.
Our hearts have continued to ache over his passing, but we have found
strength in reflecting on the memories that we shared and how he chose
to express himself and live on earth. We are forever thankful and
appreciative of everyone who has reached out to us, and who loved him as
much as we did. We thank you.
To most of you, he was Dr. Marable, Professor Marable, or Manning. To
us he was Dad, Daddy, and Pops. To him we were Tiger, Soji (My Little
Girl) and Handsome Son.
There is no greater gift to give your children than to be amazing. Dad was amazing.
Daddy was our Hero. Growing up we were captivated by his
storytelling that took us to his childhood days – playing practical
jokes on Uncle Jimmy, marveling over his younger sister, our Aunt
Madonna, and spending long-hot summers with family in Tuskegee, Alabama.
He was an animated storyteller, had a great sense of humor and was
very funny. His stories of real life experiences captured our
imaginations, warmed our hearts, and impacted our lives.
Dad was gifted. He had the ability to make you feel like you
were the most important person in the world. His charm, charisma, and
radiant heart could light up any room. People were drawn to his
magnetism. Dad was hip and in his own words, a real “cool cat.”
Dad provided sound advice at the right moments, to comfort you during
the toughest times. He was always there when you needed him most. His
smile, loving hugs, light-hearted jokes and songs, would make you come
alive and brighten your day.
As a child, our grandparent’s blessed over him and directed him
towards becoming a historian. Dad had an incredible mind, and his memory
was remarkable. Growing up, we called him our “walking encyclopedia.”
We could be anywhere, and he would know the importance and historical
significance of each place, building, and person. He was a humble
genius. A classic academic. We recall as children, forming an assembly
line at the kitchen counter, stuffing and sealing envelopes for his
column,“From the Grassroots,” which later became the column, “Along the
Color Line.”
We believe he spoke so passionately about his work because he loved
it so much, but also for all of us to carry on his legacy. Every story,
every book, every lecture, small talk at the dinner table, walk on the
Vineyard, speak truth to power and his words into existence and live not
only for him but for yourselves.
He will always be with us. He lives through
his teachings, books, students, colleagues, family, children, and
grandchildren. Dad would want us to find our life’s true passion and
live each day walking on that path and fighting for what’s right, even
when some may be too scared or think that you are wrong. That’s speaking
truth to power.
We miss everything about him. His laugh. His smile. His real hugs and
warm embrace. The way he danced, talked about sports, his listening ear
and sound advice. His hand clap and laugh, pretending to bite his
nails waiting to tell us the punchline of a joke. The twinkle in his
eyes when he talked about his life’s work. The many other books that he
had stored in his mind. Him.
So today we say, thank you. Thank you Daddy for being an inspiration
to us all. Thank you for being an exceptional human being. Above all
thank you for being an amazing Father.
We are forever thankful for his love, support, and guidance.
Our Dad was not only amazing in his work but truly amazing as a
Father. That’s the type of legacy that we want to leave. Be Amazing.
Thank you.
View photos from the
public memorial.
