Reflections on the Life of a Brother: Atty. Lawrence E. Kennon
By Dr. Gloria Latimore-Peace
Presented By Omni University
"Determination" by Ancestor Dr. John Henrik Clarke
I am old.
I am older than the Pyramids.
I am older than the race
That oppresses me.
I will outlive oppression.
I will outlive oppressors.
As we reflect on the life of Atty. Lawrence E. Kennon, Maa Kheru, who joined the Ancestors on, September 12, 2020,we are grateful that our reminiscences can be shared with an attitude of gratitude for a life well lived on the human rights side of history.
As I coniemplate the life of our brother, I realize that it has taken the more than the sixty( 60) years of our friendship to begin to recognize who and what he represents- not only to me- but to all of us. While I do not know all that it took for Atty. Kennon, Maa Kheru, to decide to commit himself to the cause of liberty and justice for Black and other oppressed people, I do know that is what he continued to do throughout his life.
We met on the West side of Chicago where "plantation politics" and "organized crime" held sway while encumbering the lives of those of us whose desire it was to serve our community. Yet, despite the opposition and the odds, he persevered in his efforts, both inside and outside "the establishment"- not only as a Cook County States Attorney, but also as a Mentor to young lawyers as well as a prominent member of the “Chicago League of Negro Voters” which was co- founded by Ancestor Congressman Augustus “Gus” Savage Maa Kheru. Improving the welfare and advancing the interests of the Black community in Chicago was always his goal.
When, at the age of 80, "The Committee to Defend The Bill of Rights" paid tribute to him, the program noted that he was being honored for his "lifetime of protecting civil rights...". However, like our brother, "Malcolm X", his was a greater call- a call to struggle for "human rights", i.e., the right to be and to be treated as the human beings We are.
As observed, during one of his interviews on the "H3O Art of Life" Television show , "Wherever there was a worthy cause, Larry Kennon could be found [supporting it]."
Atty. Lawrence E. Kennon was, indeed, a treasure to those of us who knew him: as a friend, a colleague, a partner, a neighbor, an acquaintance, a family member, or a brother- even to those who only knew "of him". To all of us, he was a kinsman who, like Brothers Conrad, Malcolm, Hannibal,.Dr. Bobby, Marcus,Timuel, Mandela, and Martin and Sisters Harriet, Ida,, Margaret, Marion, Fannie Lou, Winnie, Barbara, Patricia , and legions of others, dedicated their lives to Truth, Justice, and Freedom . And, like these Ancestors , he never "retired" from his calling. In fact, as I write, I can picture him on his way to a Family Reunion meeting with all of them, including: Ancestors Mayor Harold Washington, Judge James Walton, Atty
Lemuel Bentley, Lucy Jean Lewis, Al Janney....The roster is endless and still growing as other family members and friends join the gathering.
Rest in Victory, Brother Larry. A Luta Continua, the struggle continues.
"We will outlive oppression."
Recommended Viewing
"'NJustice for All", Featuring: Ancestor Attorney Lawrence E. Kennon, Ancestor Patricia Hill, and Mystic Sebamurti Wayne Gentry.
Comments