Ray Charles Art Print
Gorsky, Vladimir
Buy at AllPosters.com
(About his addiction to heroin) I did it to myself. It wasn’t society…it wasn’t a pusher, it wasn’t being blind or being black or being poor. It was all my doing. – Ray Charles
I have a love/hate relationship with the quote above. I hate it with a distinct passion because it reminds me that one of the greatest talents our world has ever known struggled with a drug addiction. That makes me overwhelmingly sad because I know it must have caused him and those around him so much pain and heartache. When we’re a fan of someone, we want to think that their life was one long picnic – sadly for Ray Charles, it rained.
What I love about this quote – and, again with a distinct passion – is the fact that he doesn’t point fingers outwardly, whatsoever. He points all ten of the talented wonders toward himself. Would it have been a very, very, very difficult time to have lived as a black man when Ray did? We know the answer to that, don’t we? Can you even imagine the things he must have experienced? Now, add to this the fact that he had a great deal of trauma as a child. Things that happen to us in our childhood stay with us forever. If we’re lucky, we find a way to make the memories aggreeable houseguests. If we’re unlucky, they become ghosts that haunt our lives. From everything I’ve read, I believe that Ray Charles’ house was haunted.
So, we have a man who has had unspeakable trauma, great losses, and has to live and work amongst a society that is still, for the most part, unbelievably intolerant and unkind to those who wear a different skin color. Oh. Right. He had to face all of this without his eyesight – in complete and utter darkness.
Did he have a hard life? Without a doubt. Did people take advantage of him? Absolutely. Was it fair that he had to lose his sight. Not even close. Yet, he didn’t place the blame for his addiction anywhere but on himself.
The scapegoats were all lined up, but he sent them home.
What if everyone took responsiblity for their actions – the bad ones as well as the good? What if everyone stopped corralling scapegoats and began setting them free instead? I honestly believe if we all took more responsibility for what we do and for what we fail to do, we’d find ourselves in a better position to grow and improve. I also honestly believe that that’s probably not going to happen. Blaming circumstances and other people is just too easy.
Just something to think about.
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I think Ray Charles would be disappointed with the article above. Yes, he had plenty of hard times, but he is just the type of person who would not dwell on them like you have. I’ve read his autobiography, and the guy has no regrets and is remarkably positive. So do the guy a favor and stop feeling bad for him. I don’t think he would want your pity.
With all due respect, Sherry, if I choose to use a quote from someone who inspires me – I can do just that. I am not feeling sorry for the man, nor am I suggesting that he ever dwelled on hard times.
He left an incredible legacy and overcame what most of us will never even get a taste of.
Why you take exception with my paying tribute to someone in this manner is beyond me.
I’ve read enough about the man to fully doubt that he’d be “disappointed” with an article that’s paying him tribute. Now, someone jumping in and trying to make a problem where there isn’t one – that might be a different story.
I believe that Ray Charles was driven by a sense of spirituality which comes through in his wonderfully soulful voice. At the time of his drug
addiction perhaps he wasn’t able or willing to recognise this and gave into his dark side, which we all have, and which can cause any of us to
become addicted to all kinds of negative things in life. Perhaps also he
was willing to take responsibility for his drug addiction because he
recognised that for all the problems he had faced in life, God had blessed
him with extraordinary music talents that very few performers have been
blessed with, either before or since. Ray Charles is my favourite all time
musical artist and for me his lack of self-pity, his good humour and
positive attitude give him a dignity that overcomes any need on my
part to analyse or explain his drug addiction. In my mind he was trying
to come to terms with very testing events and circumstances; he lost his
way for a while, got back on the right path and was stronger as a human
being for it. I find Ray Charles hugely inspirational.
Michelle,
Beautifully said. I think he’s incredibly inspirational too. Anyone who has the guts to fight their own personal demons and come out on top makes me realize that anything is possible. Especially when we have God on our side! Thanks for your beautiful words – it’s always good to hear from another fan of Mr. Charles. Have a wonderful new year, Michelle!
- Joi
Thank you, Joi. All the best for 2009 to you too! Michelle