Author Bebe Moore Campbell in 2005
Occupy Blogosphere and Celebrating Bebe Moore Campbell
“As I grow older, part of my emotional survival plan must be to actively seek inspiration instead of passively waiting for it to find me. ”
Bebe Moore Campbell
I still miss Bebe, who was called Elizabeth Bebe Moore at birth. She passed almost six years ago, after battling brain cancer, at the age of 56. On February 18, she would’ve been 62. And I still miss her ’cause when I read Your Blues Ain’t Like Mine, I was hooked, which was a story rooted in the death of Emmett Till. In the latter part of her writing career and life, she tackled the subject of mental illness, in the form of a children’s book, Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry and novel, 72 Hours Hold.
It used to be that I’d go to a lot of author readings awhile back but I never got to hear and see Bebe up close. I’d just stalk the internet, waiting for my favorite authors to come out with their latest. One such day when I was scanning the internet for Bebe, I learned she had passed on. Broke my heart, it did, ’cause she was one of them authors that had something relevant to say. As well as being a writer, she began her professional career as a school teacher in my hometown after graduating college and later went on to become a freelance journalist, where she wrote for The New York Times, The Washington Post, Ebony, among other magazines. She was also a regular NPR commentator.
As one who’s always been an avid reader and later, aspiring writer, Bebe Moore Campbell was and continues to be a positive light for me, based on the work she did while being among us. New York Times did a write up after Bebe’s transition, which you may read here.
Bebe Moore Campbell Color Sheet, Adobe InDesign Copyright 2012 Totsymae
I'm an artist who's writing,mothering, blogging and doing a few other things under the sun. I buy toilet paper 99.9% of every trip I make to the grocery store. I'm a people watcher, so I know you're here but drop me a line anyway.
A beautiful tribute, Totsy. Very nice, indeed.
Thank you, Annie.
Bebe Moore Campbell was sweetly beautiful Totsymae – in this photo, there seems to be an inner light shining thru – I couldn’t get yr link to book ‘Sometimes my mommy gets angry’ to work. Intend reading “Your blues ain’t like mine’ – astounding synopsis in wiki, thanks for this tribute and heads-up for new author, cheers catchul8r molly
Yes, she was. I fixed the link.
I think you would enjoy “Blues.”
Cheers to you.
Oh good, Totsymae…you wrote about a black woman. Fabulous – not only because it is Black History Month, but also because I’ve learned of another book that I will find and devour.
Because it’s still Feb 1 as I write, I have yet to push the publish button on my Feb 2 Occupy. It’ll be there in a couple of hours so if you want to re-link it to Feb 2…
Your enthusiasm is awesome.
You will enjoy reading Bebe.
I did link up this morning. I think this will catch on.
This is a great remembrance, Totsy. I wasn’t aware of Bebe, but now you’ve intrigued me. I like your drawing of her. You’re so talented!
Thanks, Monica.
I like switching it up. Feel free to download and color.
This is a beautiful tribute, Tots. Isn’t it funny how people we don’t know can inspire us?
I was shocked when I heard that she’d passed. We had a memorial service for her.
You know some people, it’s like they’re not supposed to die, like they’ll live forever. Bebe More Campbell was one of them. Thanks for remembering BMC, Totsy.
This was very unexpected. She has been sorely missed. Even in that photo, where she’s ill, she’s radiant.
She was a beautiful soul who left us way too soon.
The quote is so simple and yet so wise. Ya gotta make it happen,baby.
One wise person, as yourself, recognizing another.
I didn’t know of Ms Campbell till now. Lovely tribute, Tots.
Thanks.
Yes, she was! Bebe is among one of the favorites on my shortlist. She had an incredible gift of intersecting generations, classes, and races without compromising the integrity of either. I credit her “72 Hour Hold” and “Sometimes Mommy Gets Angry” with singlehandledly shifting my tolerance and compassion for those suffering mental illness. I followed her regularly on NPR and own everything she’s ever written. Needless to say, she’s had a great influence on my writing. I already miss the books that lived
inside of her! Thanks for the memory!
You’re welcome.
The topic of mental illness was near and dear to her, as a family member suffered of it. So, I can see how she articulated and influenced readers’ perceptions of it.
You just lit up my little corner of the blog-o-sphere, Totsy. Thank you. You are a class act!
Glad I could do that for ya.
And thank you.
What a lovely tribute to a beautiful woman. I look forward to reading her work. It’s always a shame when lovely and giving people die too young.
I have a local writer (Oakland) named Mary Monroe. She has written numerous books “God Don’t Like Ugly” being one of her first. I have bought every book she’s ever written and love her style which is heart wrenching it it’s purity and honest. I’ve met her a few times at local readings. Lovely gal.
I’ve heard of Mary Monroe but I’ve not read anything by her. You may also enjoy Tina McElroy Ansa. I did meet her. Super nice lady.
How you have honored Miss Campbell with that colorsheet! Thank you so much for this postive role model depicted here in your post today! “Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry” really made an impact on me when it first came out.
I was thinking to do a coloring book at one time, although the image of her I just finished. I’ve got Maya Angelou and Lady Gaga too, if you wanna color.
–She IS Beautiful, Tots.
Sooooo Beautiful. X
Yes, she IS.
Thank you – I’m Going to read her.
You’re welcome. I hope you enjoy Mrs. Campbell as much as I have.
A very nice tribute, Totsy. I’m sorry you didn’t have the chance to meet her in person. Before now, I had not heard of her. Thanks for the introduction and the links.
I’m sorry too. At least I learned of her work and have enjoyed it over the years.
You’re welcome.