A point of differnce after Sean Levert dies

In sad news I noticed that Sean Levert died on March 30th. He was 39 years old. While I saw nothing about this in the major media, I think it’s worth noting.

One thing that really gives me pause is the fact that Sean Levert was in jail just prior to his death. One hour before he died he was serving time for failing to pay child support. An autopsy has already been done and the claim is that there was no foul play. And I have to wonder.

Over the weekend I saw news about Anna Nicole Smith’s son. His death was ruled an accidental overdose. Back at the time of his death there was constant coverage, and it took about a week to get a full autopsy done. The only thing that Anna Nicole’s son is known for is being her son, and dying under odd circumstances.

Yet, Sean Levert actually contributed to society (he was a singer like his father, and working with his more famous brother Gerald for a time). While his contribution was nothing to win a Nobel Peace Prize over, in comparison to the Smith son he was King Kong. He was relatively famous in his own right, and the son of a very successful famous father. He was in jail (which the media normally loves to cover and laud when it comes to entertainers in trouble and African Americans in general as I observe). And he died very suddenly with what seems to be in comparison a rushed autopsy.

Now I’m not saying that this was foul play on the part of Cuyahoga County jail, but I am noting that there is a schism yet again. Anna Nicole Smith has been in the news, on and off, for a year. Her son generated significant news coverage a year after his death – while he was an ordinary person beyond his lineage. Sean Levert got nothing, Sean Bell was dropped in a day, Sean Taylor was vilified over his youth, Megan Williams was ignored, and they tried to railroad Wesley Snipes.

Months after his death I’m hearing even more about Heath Ledger. Why? I’m not trying to belittle their deaths, and I do give my condolences to their families and friends, but that does not change the obvious actions of the media. And then some people wonder why Preachers like Rev. Wright are upset.

If we can’t give equal, or even similar, acknowledgement of the deaths of those famous and near-famous in our nation then how the hell can we except to see equality in life?