Obituary: Varry White of Lawrence, KS died today. He had a good run. Laid down a few jams over the years, entertained the people, threw some amazing parties and tried his best to encourage people to love more. To those who knew him he will be missed.
Article: In an earlier post I let you know I had que’d up 2020 as my break out year. I decided it was time I stopped making excuses, stopped letting fear over ride my dreams and start doing small things to bring my goals in to 20/20 perspective. Varry White Music has been a concept for nearly 5 years. That dream became a reality in the form of VarryWhite.com and the site went live 7 days ago. Ironically only a few even read that post and now it has come to, as Boys II Men so eloquently sang, to The End Of The Road.
Monday morning my son started putting the final touches on the brand logo and Monday evening George Floyd was killed senselessly by a Police Officer while 3 other officers watched on. Pandemonium ensued.
While I was excited for my new site, my black friends and their families were spiraling downward in a mixture of fear and anger as their world has once again been rocked. I did something completely selfish and I regret it. I sent Messenger notes to several friends asking them to review my site- to give me their take. I had been so busy working I had not seen the news. Not knowing what happened is no excuse and the timing could not have been worse. What I should have done was sent messages to all my friends to let them know I love them. That I would advocate and champion for them. That I would fight with them and for them until racism comes to an end once and for all. When I did see the news and saw tension growing I knew Varry White had to end. My pseudonym was not helping the problem, it was adding to it. That’s 100 not who I am and not how I want to be thought of. To my friends who graciously gave me a pass, thank you for your grace. Please accept my heartfelt apology.
This is only suppose to be a short post, not a dissertation on what is wrong with our society so let me just give you the “Hits.”
- Friends I have read your posts on FB, I read all the comments as well. My heart is broken for you knowing that the field we play on in America isn’t level. I will advocate for change.
- Please stay safe. Friends, fight the urge to take out you anger in a destructive manner. Protesting is fine, however destroying things in front of a police officer is only asking for trouble. I don’t want you to be the next one that makes national news. Yes your life matters but as my sweet ninth grade teacher Mrs. Rhone so eloquently stated, “BEFORE YOU CAN HELP OTHERS YOU MUST FIRST BE ABLE TO HELP YOURSELF” (OK- the thought is eloquent the delivery was, ummm…..passionate…… that’s it! Passionate) Help me help you! Let’s lock hearts and create the change we hope to see, this will take the effort of everyone collectively.
- This is not lip service. I love you. I really do. Only love conquers hate. These three remain: Faith, Hope and Love but the greatest of these is love.-1 Corinthians 13:13
- I am praying for you. I am praying for change. I am praying to be a part of the change.
- Finally let’s begin a conversation that leads to action. That was my goal for 2020, to move the needle. Let’s move the needle to end racism, to end unmerited hatred, to embrace and celebrate our differences and to love more. Godspeed. #BlackLivesMatter
George Floyd, you deserved a better fate. My prayers go out to your family as they try to move forward because of this tragedy. May your life be counted as one that brought change to our nation. RIP.