NFL
By: Zach Draves
I watched as millions did yesterday and shed a flood of tears in the process at the sight of Kobe and Gigi’s public memorial at the Staples Center.
It was one of the most moving displays of mourning I have ever seen.
It was fitting that the house that Kobe built would be the host venue to pay homage to him and his daughter.
In that sense, it had a more personal connection than it was for the public funerals of Michael Jackson and Nipsey Hussle, which were also held at the Staples Center.
While Michael was a global icon and Nipsey, who as Tupac said, lived and died in LA, Kobe gave the Staples Center its name.
The funeral was also reminiscent of the public funerals of other cultural icons.
It was Judy Garland, Elvis Presley, Bob Marley, Selena, Biggie Smalls, Aaliyah, James Brown, Michael, and Nipsey combined.
What I mean by that is that Kobe, like these other legends, transcended their profession, shattered stereotypes, broke down barriers, spoke up on issues that matter, and uplifted a city, country, and community.
In essence, the collective response of their death was palpable and affected so many.
We all shared in the grief.
We all cried.
We all laughed.
We all were in this together.
We cheered Vanessa Bryant as she courageously spoke about her pain and anguish before the world.
We laughed and cried with Michael Jordan, who very rarely gives public appearances these days when he spoke of the bond he had with Kobe.
The memorial was many things, including displaying America at its best.
United not divided.
In solidarity with each other.
Making it clear that there is no shame in crying over a loss and that grief and trauma is real.
It was multi-generational, from Kareem and Bill Russell to Magic and Michael to Steph and Draymond.
Diversity and Solidarity
As was Kobe’s life, it was multicultural.
Let’s not forget that Kobe lived much of his childhood in Italy, spoke multiple languages, married Vanessa, a Latina, and had a strong bond with the Latinx/Hispanic community.
It reflected the diversity that makes up not just Los Angeles, but America.
In this time of tremendous viciousness and scapegoating towards the concept of diversity and inclusion, immigrants, and people of color, Kobe’s memorial showcased the beauty of the rainbow coalition that Fred Hampton, the Brown Berets, and Jesse Jackson articulated years ago.
It showed the solidarity between the African American and Latinx/Hispanic communities in defiance of political and social forces that have sought to pit each group against one another.
Just look at the comfort Beyoncé gave Vanessa during the ceremony.
Much similar to the togetherness of Coretta Scott King and Dolores Huerta.
The kind of public embrace that Dr. King and Cesar Chavez never got the chance to do even though their souls were connected.
Black Men and Vulnerability
The funeral also showed that men of color can be vulnerable and that shedding tears is justified.
American history and culture have systemically sought to deny black men the ability to be human and that includes the freedom to show emotion.
But Kobe’s death shattered that myth and gave black men permission that is not often given.
The sight of Michael, Shaq, LeBron, and other former and current players letting the floodgates open allowed for other black men to follow.
Gender Equality
The words of Diana Taurasi and Sabrina Ionescu, two of the best ballers regardless of gender, spoke about the impact that Kobe had on the promotion of gender equity in basketball.
Gigi had those ambitions to go into the WNBA and follow in her dad’s footsteps.
As Vanessa put it best, she would have been the best WNBA player ever.
As the WNBA continues to grow in popularity, in part by taking innovative steps to market the game and implementing recent policies that set a model for pay equity and a work/life balance, it would only be fitting to Kobe and especially Gigi’s memory to support the women’s basketball and women’s sports across the board.
And let’s not forget Kobe’s impact as a #GirlDad.
Men have also been conditioned that in order to feel complete as a father that they have to a son.
But Kobe was a proud father of daughters and set an example for other fathers that our girls deserve the same opportunities as our boys.
Kobe is this generation’s John Lennon when it comes to fatherhood.
Remember that John Lennon took 5 ½ years off from music to be a stay at home dad, opening the door for other men to take that title with a badge of honor.
Now #GirlDad follows suit.
Yesterday was an emotional day for all of us.
It was a fitting end to a tragedy that has consumed us all for a month.
Life will go on, basketball will go on, society will hopefully move forward, but we must appreciate each and every day that we are on this earth in the process.
That is what Kobe and Gigi and the others on that fatal helicopter would have wanted.
Rest in Peace.
