Indiana

Lucious Newsom, R.I.P.

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

One of the kindest people I’ve met during my time in Indianapolis has died. Lucuious Newsom died Monday at St. Francis Hospital in Beech Grove.  If you didn’t know him it was your loss.

He was someone who spent time helping those in need. He and his mobile food pantry helped feed the poor, clothe the homeless and and find shelter for the needy. You might have recognized him from his bib overalls that he wore.

I met him last year after hosting the Governor’s Awards ceremony for Indiana Black Expo. He shared with me a story about a young man who vandalized food pantry. Lucious didn’t return the act with anger but kindness. He even showed me the man’s pocket knife that he kept. What surprised me was the knife had a picture of a KKK member on it. Lucious told me in so many words the best way to deal with your enemies is to show them love and compassion and eventually they come around.

I think we all could follow that advice a little better.

Good-bye, Lucious. You will be missed.

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on August 19, 2008 (boomark / email).