Kanye Tribute to Mom

My computer screen seemed to be overtaken by some random confluence of words and faulty coding: "Rapper Kanye West's Mother Dies." A week later, Chicago is still reeling from the untimely death of one of its own: Donda West, Kanye's mama.

This week we asked why. Why did she die? Why did she feel the need to get cosmetic surgery? Donda West, 58, was beautiful in so many ways that matter. Maybe we can focus on the great example she set. Maybe we can fixate on how, though we might live in a time when many things go wrong, love and righteous values can make it all right.

We can honor Donda West, but also men like Kanye who uplift their mothers, giving credit where it's due but too often unacknowledged.

I want to tell the whole world about a friend of mine / This little light of mine, I'm feelin' let it shine.

Kanye West, "Hey Mama"

In a world taken by images of video vixens, misogynist lyrics and materialism, many black men get at least one thing right when they make it: honoring their mothers. After the requisite thanksgiving to God, you can rely on even the most rough-edged black male celebrity to evoke his mom. We've seen Michael Jordan uplift his mother, Deloris. The late Tupac Shakur was tossed on the streets when he didn't act right, but he gave honor to his mother, Afeni, in song. Chris Rock is publicly proud of his mother, Rose. Rock's hit show is as much a tribute to her as it is hilarity for us. L.L. Cool J is a stellar example of finely honed talent (and abs), balanced with being a good father and husband who has credited the women who raised him in his music.

Everything'll be alright if ya hold on / It's a struggle everyday gotta roll on / and there's no way I can pay you back / but my plan is to show you that I understand / you are appreciated

Tupac Shakur, "Dear Mama"

We learned this week that black male income is on a 30-year-decline. Everybody is doing better moneywise than black men. Black mothers are standing in the gap, keeping families together, struggling to keep everyone from ending up worse off than they started, reports from the Brookings Institution reveal. Only about a third of black middle-income children grow up to make more money than their parents. This exposes a fallacy that is the American Dream: that we can all work hard, become educated and wake up one day and be better off than our forebears. Despite those facts, black mothers fuel the dreams of their sons, acting as confidantes and teachers.

I know I'd hear your prayers in the middle of the night / Used to sit me on your lap and teach me mother wit.

L.L. Cool J, "Big Mama"

Men like Kanye have honored us by spotlighting the triumphs of their mothers. These moms don't get the spotlight in movie scripts unless it's some guy wearing a fat suit. Everybody points the finger at mothers when things go wrong because increasingly they're child-rearing alone. But there's nothing like the love of a mother, the one who'll eat the bony piece of chicken just so her baby (always) can have the fat, juicy one and wash it down with a glass of Kool-Aid.

Every young person who makes it is a blessing, and that includes Kanye. Because of his mother's steadfastness,we can dance to thought-provoking music that speaks to our struggles succinctly, effortlessly. That Donda West worked so hard and fueled her son's dreams and desires while keeping him on track is a gift we all share.

A living legend too, just look at what heaven do, send us an angel, and I thank you.

Kanye West, "Hey Mama"