Monday, October 12, 2015
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My deepest sympathy to the family, friends, and everyone forced to endure this tragedy. To suffer the loss of a life stolen by senseless violence when it'd only just begun is a pain few could even imagine.
It was only just today (Sun., Oct. 11th) that I learned of Ike's passing. I was doing research on the seemingly endless cycle of gun violence that continues to cost so many young people of color their freedom and lives, when I was shocked to see his name in a news story about that night. He and I weren't especially close, but I'd known him for several years. In all that time, he never failed to strike me as incredibly full of energy and enthusiasm. We only saw each other occasionally in passing, but somehow, no matter how brief the encounter, he'd manage to ask me several questions every single time. The questions were sometimes focused, and other times all over the place: who I was dating, what music I liked, whether I enjoyed my apartment, which basketball team did I like in the Finals- anything at all. He really seemed interested in the answers, also- not just talking to hear his own voice. He had so much curiosity, along with a slightly mischievous smile that made it seem like he always had a private joke in mind that he may or may not let you in on. I always came away with a smile of my own after running into him, it was contagious like that.
Also -although I'm sure he'd be mad at me for saying so- I always found him to be a just plain genuinely nice person. Not weak, by any stretch, just someone who enjoyed life, was happy, and wanted others to be happy as well. That's how I'll remember him, and why I'll miss him. I'm quite sure many others do, as well. God Bless.
