(ThyBlackMan.com) My heart goes out to the family of Nipsey Hussle, to his fans, his community, and the millions of lives impacted by his words, and community upliftment. It is heartbreaking when another black man leaves this earth in such a violent manner, and definitely too soon. One can only wonder how much more work he would have accomplished, or the peace he could have helped bring to pass in the area of gang violence. It says a lot when even police officers mourn his passing because he wanted to help bring about positive change. His work earned him the honor he is receiving. Hopefully his passing will further move our people to continue to fight for one another instead of against one another. With that being said it is important that we don’t make a mockery of him disguised as morning, honor, or respect.
Lately I’ve seen paintings, and pictures of Nipsey Hussle with a crown of thorns on his head, and other imagery that is more than merely an angel. This is when it seemed that we had gone too far. Yes, he has done some great work but he isn’t the only one working hard in our communities. Many of us know brothers and sisters that are working hard in the community everyday and they have been 
doing it all of their life. Admitting this isn’t speaking ill of the dead, but it does put everything in perspective. Nipsey Hussle’s legacy is important but he wasn’t our Savior or Messiah. To be clear on the matter neither were other great artists that we love and have put on a level of worship.
Why is it that when we lose a celebrity we tend to enter into a kind of worship of that individual. In that moment no one has done or could do what they did. That is not the case at all especially when it comes to activism and work amongst our people. It is one thing to be inspired but the life of someone we have lost, but once we enter into a worship of them, we run the risk of changing the narrative of who they were. We forget they could not accomplish their work alone, and they needed a community as much as the community needed them. We forget that in honoring them we continue to move forward, but often times worship doesn’t equate to continuing the work. Furthermore, for some of us its simply blasphemous. They were a human being just as we are, and if we did not know them personally why are we worshipping the person. This happens too often in our community when a celebrity passes one. Its’ time we address the celebrity worship which is not honor.
When we allow ourselves to enter into this sort of blind worship, we leave ourselves open to others capitalizing on this state of being. There are several people, that are not us, making shirts and painting this religious symbolism that are literally making money off this worship state. Many of us believe we are buying black however; the vendors are not black at all. How does this benefit our community?
How do we justify this behavior to ourselves? There are people online selling tickets in excess of $500.00 to an event that is free to the public. Why would they think someone would pay that amount of money, or any money, to attend a memorial? Maybe they know someone will pay it because its not about honoring a life but worshiping a legacy which can be dangerous to a community. Our people can come together to celebrate the life and work of Nipsey Hussle, and we can continue to be inspired by that life without making a God of him.
Staff Writer; Chelle’ St James
May also connect with this sister via Twitter; ChelleStJames.
