Reflections on James

Giants walk amongst us, but not as regal, wise and humble as James Mitchell, who passed on September 16. James was a friend to the founders of Our Time Press, a friend whose example we looked to very often for inspiration and the will to keep moving forward. This week, we offer the obituary prepared by James’ loving wife, community leader Spring McClendon as a Life-of-Love story, and the poignant Reflections of his friend Mr. Stanley Bailey. Last Thursday’s celebration on September 28 was officiated by The Rev. Dr. Valerie Oliver Durrah with emotional testimonies from friends, family members and colleagues, and a passionate eulogy by The Rev. Dr. Caleb Buchanan. Rev. Durrah, in a mail, two days later, informed the public that “many hearts came together to lay to rest, community leader James Mitchell, a devoted Brooklynite who left a lasting impact in his community. He will be greatly missed. Please keep his family and friends in prayer as they continue to grieve this great loss.” For those who missed this wonderful celebration of James’ life, the recorded service is available to view online.

Spring, my Sistah from Another Mister, gave me this honor of presenting my Reflections of James. My hope is that my memories of James co-align with your memories of this Good Brother.
In reflecting several memorable visions or images of James immediately come to mind:

-New Year’s Eve parties in their elegant brownstone (fashioned by Spring and brought to life with the multiple skills James possessed), with James wearing his impish smile while dressed in an understated yet sophisticated black jacket, crew neck sweater and slacks dispensing nuggets of his very wry wit while never really drawing attention to himself as he moved amongst us. He was very good at that.

-Throwdown family cookouts in their backyard in which James was the quiet Ringmaster making sure everyone was comfortable, having fun and well-fed.

-The annual Juneteenth Celebration in Cuyler Gore Park in which James again was in command of the dispensing food and refreshments for the various artists, performers, musicians and speakers assembled by Spring and the event’s staff. The Brother was never afraid of work especially Any kind of work involving his Beloved Spring,

-The Mo Better Picnic in which our Core Crew of 10 bloomed to 50-60 friends from near and far to spend all day in a park in Stamford, Ct enjoying fine food, good champagne (“Moet or better please!” per Debbie) and Real music with Real singers and Real Bands! Spring, James, Alex, Ozell, Debbie, Kingsley, Wayman myself and many more enjoying the company of each other in our Salute to Life, Love and Peace.

Yet my favorite vision of James was his wedding day. There he stood poised to “jump the broom”, as regal as any African King Beside his soon-to-be Queen (because as we all should know Beside Every Good Man is a Good Woman; and though it might seem that it took them a while to find each other in their separate life journeys, when they did, it was Camelot for lo these many years.
These are the images that come to mind in reflecting on the time I spent with this Good Brother.

And yet there are three key words that come to mind when I think of James:
-‘‘Avuncular”; that’s one of those fifty cents words that you might see in a Thomas Pynchon novel that simply means “uncle like”. In truth it was my son’s observation in regard to this innate quality in James, my son having known James as my friend for most of his own life. He said he thought of James as “Uncle Phil” from “Fresh Prince”; jovial, good natured, wise yet stern when necessary. That indeed seemed to fit: Uncle James.

-Mother Wit” words I came to know from my southern upbringing (which James and I shared) that meant at least in their terms an in-born natural talent, This fit James as well; his ability to Figure Stuff Out; to assess the situation in Common Sense terms and Move Forward as we All must do in to Survive and Enjoy our Short Time on this Earth.

And finally a “Mensch”, a Yiddish word meaning “a person of honor and integrity”. Does this not describe this Good Brother?
James’ last conversation with me was an unexpected cellphone call he made to me from his hospital bed. This was just a few days after Spring advised me of his dire condition. I remember I was sitting in Bowling Green Park down by the Bull. Surprisingly as if from comfort his favorite parlor chair. He spoke straightforward and true, acknowledging his medical situation. He spoke of things from his childhood that I never knew. We spoke for ten or fifteen minutes, and I felt better after the conversation even knowing his status; that’s “honor and integrity”; that was James.

I leave you with this final reflection from the Book of Psalms, Chapter 15 Verse 1-2: “Lord who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in the holy hill? He that walketh upright and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.”
Farewell Good Brother James.