We had long met Don Williams and Don Carlos but the Don many in this generation won’t forget is Don Cornelius.
He stood 6 feet 4 inches tall. Launched Soul Train on WCIU-TV in Chicago as a daily local show in 1970. A run away global hit. Don Cornelius was one of those presenters whose show was making world class careers.
The respect for him was legendary and no black music VJ in the world has equated his iconic status till date. He has taken home every life time achievement award the American music world has to offer as he aged gracefully, admired by all. A true Don.
In the early hours of February 1, 2012, his neighbours had reported a gunshot sound as coming from his apartment to 911. Upon their arrival, Don Cornelius had shot himself in the head.
His son who had spoken to him earlier was two hours late to see his father whom he admitted was gravely depressed, feeling unfulfilled and dealing with ill health. ‘I don’t know how much longer I can hold on’ he had said a few minutes before he killed himself.
Don Cornelius wasn’t on drugs or in debt as is traditional of ‘Hollywooders’. He seemed balanced, happy and successful to every one but he was feeling empty, depressed, sick and suicidal.
So the life, times and end of the Don shows us again that
1) Accomplishments and a smile are still very effective masks for a bitter struggle for fulfillment.
2) Professional and business success usually have little to do with the inner joy and satisfaction of its owners.
3) A bubbly spirit might just be on display as a decoy from the discovery of a desperate need to make peace with fulfillment
4) The things that give your life real value are hardly easily visible by men. So stop searching for them in stores and real estate
5) The world’s standard for measuring a successful man comes with no guarantees of happiness so don’t dismiss those with it on display as happy or content. When you can, be there for them in the ways that help them find meaning in life. It’s easier than making that 911 call.
