Goodnight, Mr. Jones

Mourning the death of James Earl Jones

Mr. Jones,

I’d call you James, but your regal bearing won’t allow me to speak to an elder in such a fashion.

You were one of one.

You had an air of dignity and gravitas that helped you to avoid stereotypical roles.

Your distinguished presence was bolstered by a spectacular instrument- your magnificent voice, the voice that was once the voice of a stutterer.

From seeing you in Dr. Strangelove, through your breakout Broadway and film performances in The Great White Hope, you announced yourself as a strong Black male presence at a time when it was sorely, desperately needed.

From Othello and Troy Maxson to King Jaffe, to voicing Darth Vader and Mufasa, you represented us with grace and dignity.

You could be deadly serious or uproariously funny.

You could do everything.

It hurts when we lose our best and brightest.

Especially one who carried such cultural and representative significance.

Someone who represented us so well for so long while gaining the affection and respect of your colleagues.

Now, your magnificent voice is silenced.

The performances given are all we have left.

But you have achieved that immortality that comes with artistic success.

Your voice, your presence, your performances will live forever in the minds and hearts of grateful audiences.

Though you have already exited the stage, we continue to applaud you, and we will never stop.

Goodnight, Mr. Jones.

Goodnight.