Jihmye Collins (6/17/39-3/15/11)

Jihmye Collins (6/17/39-3/15/11)

by Husayn Al-Kurdi

The Ides of March this year brought bad news to San Diego and to lovers of justice everywhere.

Jihmye Collins, Black Prince, Artist, Poet, Justice Activist, Friend, Counselor, Teacher, Father, Sportsman, Panther Brave Heart, Spokesman, Truth Teller, Warrior has gone and left this world which he strove so mightily to change for the better, and succeeded in so doing by his exuberant and courageous presence.

Jihmye was a good friend of mine. We played basketball together and with our sons on weekends. He was tough, strong and combative on the court. He had an elegant way of slipping into his favorite shooting position, making himself available for a sure shot. Nobody threw a better bounce pass. As in all the other activities he committed his considerable energy to, he was relentless, determined, purposive and indomitable.

Jihmye was a stalwart defender and champion for his long-oppressed people. He never stopped being a true Black Panther. His anti-war, anti-racism, "Third World" solidarity and progressive cultural activism over the course of over three decades in San Diego is unmatched and unmatchable. His body of work as a visual artist must be shown to the world by any and all available means to serve as a guide to aspiring artists and an inspiration to a culturally impoverished public.

To me, he was a brother, friend and a trusted adviser. We could share confidences and be open and honest and trusting with each other.

Jihmye was appropriately angered by the suffering of others. He was outspokenly indignant when noticing instances of injustice and cruelty. He worked hard to stop the murderous forays of out-of-control San Diego Police and Sheriff's Deputies.

We always carried himself with a most dignified bearing, speaking with a soft yet deliberate cadence and using carefully crafted phraseology. He worked patiently and unstintingly with children and adults, teaching the ways of art.

San Diego will not be able to replace him. His friends, relatives and loved ones will be hard to console. I am grieving at our loss and mourning his sudden departure.

(Husayn Al-Kurdi is a writer, poet, performer and video-maker who lived in San Diego from 1981 to 1997)