Black PressRadio: In Memory of Chris Lighty by DC Livers
By DC Livers
(NEW YORK - Black PressRadio - September 6, 2012) - "IT IS SAID that when a reporter covers a funeral, it's bad luck to look at the body because as legend has it the dead can "get in your soul." Stupid or real, it might explain why I'm still up at 2:30 a.m. thinking of Chris Lighty.
Almost from the moment I arrived I felt uneasy. Despite having covered funerals for Rosa Parks and other great Black achievers, Lighty's funeral seems different. Perhaps it's because I have so much information that I cannot release. Maybe it's because the day before the funeral I went to the location (to do a standard "dry run" and scope out parking and the like) but was mistaken for a family member. I was handed funeral signs for my car and told what time to come, all before I could say "Can I speak to the media relations rep."
I was about to say exactly that when I heard crying and turned around to see a woman completely distraught. I looked to my left and saw a man sitting in the chapel in tears. Not far away was the cardboard photo of Lighty himself. Instead of asking for the PR person, I touched the lady on the shoulder and asked if she was ok. I remember saying something like, "I know it's hard so try to hang in there" before I raced out of the place.
Hours later I would be reunited with these same people and learn their identity: Chris Lighty's siblings. I've lost a sibling so I knew their pain, and I found myself hating my job during the entire service.
Although I made a point of not going into the funeral, despite opportunities to do so, I knew old media wise tale was real and I could almost hear him speaking to me. He led me to people who he knew all day and I got some amazing interviews that I'll be sharing with you shortly. I didn't recognize hardly anyone I interviewed, but like I said Chris was with me all day. It likely explains, too, why several times people walked celebrities or loved one right up to me to interview. At one point, I heard someone scream, "DC! DC!" I went over and was given another interview.
Not surprising, the AP guy and a lady from FOX decided to follow me and stick their mics and cameras into the face of anyone that I put my mic to. They surely saw that I had an unfair advantage. I just read an article in a popular London newspaper that quotes half of one of my exclusive interviews with Grand Master Flash word-for-word because the reporter was following me. They don't have the full interview because they didn't know who he was but they got some interesting words from him nonetheless.
I am burdened with information that is not flattering to Chris, will never divulge it because I granted "off the record" status to the source. If it turns out that Chris did not commit suicide, I've already decided to cease my coverage. Unfair advantage or not, I'm not about to go down that path. Some things are better left alone. - DC Livers
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Destiny!
No, man will ever leave there kids behind in this matter with such out pour of love. The cause of death does not line up to the person that lived life to the fullest...
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