"GEORGE JEFFERSON" : A ROLE MODEL FOR BLACK LEADERS

     The passing of Sherman Hemsley brings to mind the main character he portrayed, George Jefferson. At first we think of George Jefferson as sort of a buffoonish character. But if we examine George's character we find:

•  George Jefferson was an entrepreneur and self made millionaire;

• He took care of his woman;
• He never cheated on his woman:
• He was fearless in the face of whites;
• He was straight forward and not two-faced.  If he didn't like you you'd know it!;
• He was clean and well dressed;
• He advocated race loyalty and pure Blackness;
• He had a strong aversion to Uncle Toms;
• He said what he meant and meant what he said;
• He had no time for foolishness;
• He was prudent and wise with his money;
• He knew who his enemy was and wasn't afraid to name him;
• He knew who his friends were;
• He'd slam the door in your face if you weren't his friend;
• He hired Blacks;
• He got rich and did NOT chase white women:
• He didn't smile when nothing was funny and he didn't scratch when there was no itch:
• He was unashamedly pro-Black;
• George Jefferson had SWAG!

If only today's Black athletes and politicians were more like George Jefferson!