By Cheryl Smith
Over the years, I have enjoyed spending time with Brother Richard “Naba’a Muhammad, editor-in-chief of the Final Call Newspaper.
We had a lot in common. We were journalists, we attended HBCUs –although he wasn’t able to attend the fabulous Florida A&M University– we were members of the Divine 9 (him Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, and me, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority) and so important; —we loved our people.
As members of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, we’d gather sometimes once, twice or as many as four times a year and we always made time for one another.
We cheered one another when we won awards and we always had each other’s back!
It was always great to get tips and discuss how we were going to make journalism better.
Recently it was difficult arriving at meetings and looking around for that Morgan State University alum.
It was great seeing Sister Starla Muhammad’s beautiful smile but having face-to-face, and heart-to-hearts with Brother Naba’a was wonderful.
I know he was going through health challenges, but this deeply grounded and focused proud member of the Nation of Islam remained a faithful servant until the end.
He spoke the truth wherever he went and when he started doing a broadcast on WVON Radio in Chicago, I was invited to join him and Brothers BJ Murphy and James Muhammad, to talk about issues of the day.
It was always a joy to join them and other guests as we put our perspectives out to the world to balance all the madness around us.
I was awakened by news of his passing and people around the country were responding quickly. The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan issued a statement, a tribute to this dynamic GRIOT.
I can’t help thinking about his children, and all the other children around this world, especially those who are experiencing Father’s Day for the first time without their father. My heart goes out to them because for me every Father’s Day is like the first Father’s Day without my dad just like every day is like the first day. I don’t know how many people told me it would get easier with time.
But they lied!
It hurts even though it’s been two decades.
I just want to comfort all those who are feeling that loss, but I also want to send a plea out to all the men of the world: find your children, find the women you had unprotected sex with, and reunite with those children you are estranged from.
Form that bond, fight for that relationship, and make a difference in their lives and ultimately the world.
You see when you say your last goodbye, what will ensure that you live on will be the seeds you planted.
It doesn’t help to plant a seed if the seed never knows where it came from.
You are needed!
Brother Naba’a was about spreading that knowledge. He will be remembered for his word and his work.
He spoke truth to power; serving loyally, and honorably.
What a legacy!
