By Jahi- his nephew
Today we remember Mansfield Frazier and his ascension date. I no longer use the word “passed,” and I am starting to see clearly more the gain over the loss. In the Black tradition, we pour libation as a form of respect to those we’ve loved who’ve left the physical plane, and now are in the spiritual and ancestral world. Mansfield was not overly religious or spiritual, but he commanded respect from everyone, those who loved him or disliked him. His confidence was infectious, I miss his voice, and how he would say “what’s up cat?” which spoke to the times he was raised in. Today I will show him respect and pour libation into a living plant.
I think about him often, and I’m sure those who knew him also have memories that are activated at this time. I still haven’t come to full grip that he’s gone, two years later. It still seems unreal and surreal. This year I contemplate what if the effects of the covid vaccination had anything to do with his accelerated health decline. And no I’m not a conspiracy theorist. I am, like my uncle, a thinker, and what I do know is that his decline was rapid, and we have no history of serious cancer in our family.
And yes, I know his weight, diet, and lifestyle was a factor in his declining health.
And, I know he was as strong as 10 bulls. Simply put, he was a Redwood tree to our family, and his ascension still reverberates.
Every year at this time, I think of lessons he taught me, and this will be my yearly ritual to celebrate his ascension and I’ll also do it on his birthday in April. Ah, his birthday, he was never a big celebrator of his birthday. Mansfield was not the emotional, sentimental type who would want the cake, and candles, and all that.
But, what I am most thankful for is on his last birthday, in the grip of Covid, I had an idea to do a “zoom by” where we celebrated Mansfield via Zoom, and the rules were just pop in, say Happy Birthday, give Mansfield some love, and keep it moving to honor that he never liked the mushi-ness of long celebrations on his birthday. I remember how, little by little, then a flood of family and friends, community and well wishers who hopped on the zoom, including the last time he and his brother, my Dad, would celebrate his birthday. And I will never forget how Mansfield lit up and spent a little extra time with everyone. And, as always, he was more concerned with how everyone else was doing than pitying himself and his condition. He kept his constitution and pride, until the end. Thank you to everyone who was a part of that day.
Here’s the 5 lessons I’ve learned from Uncle Bae:
1. Not even prison could break him. He turned the worst situation of confinement into a springboard toward his future self, his future dreams and success. I was a witness of that.
2. He was courageous enough to think outside the box and as Brenda would say he was an “idea maker.” It reminds me to not be afraid to pioneer new ideas, even when no one sees the vision. And even if it fails, it’s the attempt that matters.
3. He saw and called out the “politricks” in politics and we need more people to keep standing up and be willing to speak truth to power. Locally, nationally, and globally. Pay attention to the news, but use discernment.
4. LIVE- enjoy life. I’ll never forget the joy and peace of watching Mansfield climb that massive Harley, grab his cigar, and roll out like a “speed demon” and enjoy the roar of his bike and the open road.
5. Pay it forward. Help somebody else. Be an encouragement, not a barrier to someone’s dreams. Get on with life and move with a sense of urgency and conviction.
JAHI is the Curator of The Bay Area Hip Hop Archives and an active participant of Hip Hop culture as an MC, DJ, curator and author. He performs worldwide as an emcee for PE 2.0, an offshoot of Public Enemy. As an educator, he is the director of Oakland’s public schools’ Manhood Development Program and manages 16 public school sites in Oakland. https://linktr.ee/bayareahiphoparchives
2 Responses to “Mansfield Frazier Ascension Day Celebrated by His Nephew Jahi”
Jim Smith
Thank you, Jahi. I did not know your uncle well, but I met him many times over the years at community events (where his positivity was infectious!) and I followed his blogs at CoolCleveland. What I remember most is what you listed in #2 – he had vision. Whenever I read of new developments in the Hough neighborhood, I know he had something to do with it, even from beyond. Thank you for the column today, and for the reminder of the powerful impact of one person who brings love and passion to all that they do. Your uncle was a great one!
Laura Kennelly
I can see that your uncle’s spirit (and writing ability) still lives. Thank you!