I just received a call from Arthur, brother of my good friend and master sculptor, MACEO JEFFRIES.  Arthur told me that MACEO had "passed on" recently, and that was why I hadn't reached him on his cell.  Since meeting MACEO a few years ago, he and I had made a habit of calling each other every three or four months with updates, hopes, dreams, stories. Listening to him was always captivating. At the end of every conversation he would say, “I’ll be moving to Virginia as soon as I can, so we can do great things together.” He visited often, but never did relocate.  Still we kept planning for that day.

We talked of lecture series, featuring “The Human Being,” and as recently as Friday November 6, 2009, we happily agreed that using "The Human Being" as a symbol for the Political Campaigns of Progressive Democrats, most especially ANDREA MILLER, was a terrific idea, and a win-win for everyone, including America. We promised each other we would proceed before our next conversation, in Feb--Mar '10, and with our usual laughter, clear goals with specific plans and mutual best wishes and blessings, we ended our last conversation, ever.

He was a major talent and a master historian, especially regarding the two cultures he embodied: The American Indian and The American Black. He was both. He was AMERICAN! Whether he was sculpting or lecturing about either, you listened, you watched, you learned and you evolved as a human being. He lived alone in Pittsburg, Penn and died suddenly one morning, while preparing his own bacon and eggs. Seems so unworthy an ending, so trivial, so unlike him.

Now, through tears, I feel the weight of procrastination, heavier than ever.  “If not now, when,” must be our personal inspiration and national motivation.  Indeed it's true, tomorrow is not promised to us, so I ask prayerfully, that you will express appreciation for this great artist by visiting his page on this site ("Artists" link), and introduce yourself.  Moreover, I hope you will show your regard for his work, by helping those in your neighborhood and local communities be all they can be.  For truly, that was MACEO's lifetime declaration and what his work proclaims.  He was a descent person; a most talented gentleman; a scholar, he was my friend:  a good human being whose work challenges us to be the same.

Here’s to MACEO: “The Human Being!"

In tribute, I hope you will be as humane as possible to each other and as you remember him, remember also those his work honors, for just as other victims around the world have been forced to live in tents, so have millions of Americans: some poets, some veterans, some former prison inmates looking for a restoration of their rights, some artists, many just like you and me. Just Imagine if every relief dollar sent from America, was $.90 instead, with the left over $.10 going to Community Centers who help America's Homeless.  Just Imagine the humanity of accomplishing that mission.

Now put your imagination to work.  Remember, in this severe winter of our discontent, some Americans spend every night in tents and cardboard boxes, in Feet of Snow.  Americans need America's help too. Please Give Hope A Hand: http://www.hopecommunitycenter.org (434) 872-0200, 341 11th Street NW Charlottesville, VA 22903. In this time of many great causes for which to fight, let us share some of our financial attention as well with those here at home, without health care, without rights, without homes, without hope.

MACEO, I truly miss you and I will every 3 or 4 months, forever.

Marcello Rollando,

A Reasonable Voice for a Rebirth of Our Humanity, Freedoms, Honesty and the Rule of Law

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1155138731

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