Film World Loses Roger Ebert

  I guess I admired him cuz he was soooooooo adament about the film industry respecting his wife.  I remember one time during a sundance film festival while he was on a panel with his wife seated next to him and some high powered film moguel slammed Chaz when she answered a question that was directed to Ebert.  Well...not only did he chewed that person out big time, he went on a little ranting saying to the rest of the participants that his wife is just as qualified to answer ANY of the questions directed toward him and if she is disrespected...then he is disrespected and [I'm paraphrasintg] "you don't wanna fock with  me."    That was the end of that.  Soonafter the film industry began treating Chaz like GOLD.  Yeah it was a racist thing and they should have known Ebert liked black women cuz he dated Oprah once and became close friends with her thereafter.  They knew this.  But again massa likes to raise his ugly head but that time it got bit off. 

Also I read an article about him and his wife years ago regarding their family life style and since Ebert was an only child it was hard for him to share his worldly things.  But by becoming  a grandparent by proxy. it literally cracked him open in terms of compassion for children i.e. his new grandchildren and sharing his world of wonder with them.  The article went on to say how he would treat his grandchildren like his own.  He would discipline them, teach them things  to inspire their little  minds and reward good behavior.  He was very instrumental in their lives.  And that is probably the thing that touched me about him.  Cuz he didn't carry that "look at me I like black children."  No, he was quiet with it.  And you could tell that the children really loved him.  See a child can see a fake person a mile ago-and won't go near em.   Especially young children.  And many of 'em were photographed all under him in total glee.  So that's what I respect about him the most.  Not that he was a white man giving black children attention....but!  That he was a "man" being the positive role man for black "male" children who otherwise might not get it.    Now as far as his crtiquing films....I've disagreed with him on a lot of things...but many of his analysis have really been on point.  Especially for films that are graded "B" movies.  I must admit he did influenced me to start paying closer attention to them and I found that in most times those movies were far greater and more interesting than the ones that cost millions of dollars to make.

Additionally, his marriage is testimony to loving someone internally as oppose to externally.  There is no doubt in my mind that his wife Chaz is responsible for him getting back out there and doing what he loves-despite what his face looked like.  Both have strong personalities, so I know she is the one to encourage him to continue being himself-no matter what!!!  Bravo to her.  Cuz that is REAL love. 

On a somber note Ebert will be tremendously missed-he is an icon.  He did large things for our country in terms of how we look at movies.  He did good for the art of filming.  May he now rest in peace-his misson complete.  My condolescenes goes to the family during this time of mourning.