Family, Friends & Fans,
Your overwhelming prayers, well wishes and support are very touching and greatly appreciated. I thank God I can write this letter. Moments like this make you reflect on your life, passions and purpose.
Whether accidental or with intent, the media tends to twist stories. The facts have been skewed here as well, but I pray we focus on the bigger picture. I was fortunate to receive God’s grace and a second chance at life.
Last week I awoke disoriented in the West Hills Emergency Room surrounded by a team of doctors and my family. A that time I was told I went into cardiac arrest from an extremely low potassium level. I passed out near my Woodland Hills home before being revived by three police officers Chris Vege, Calvin Hill, and Pete Parra until paramedics arrived.
I will be forever grateful to the LAPD, paramedics, doctors and nurses who did their job with excellence to save my life. I want to thank my son Michael; without his help, I would not be here. I thank my wife and friend of 32 years, Shirley, a faithful prayer warrior with healing hands. Last but not least, my sons Mark-Anthony and Kurtis Jr. for their endless love and support.
I can't help but feel compassion for the many fallen who do not have this testimony and the pain that is felt by their families. We have all witnessed the senseless killings of unarmed black men by the hands of the police. It is truly devastating. What will it take for more cops to behave like the three officers who saved my life? Officers who save lives not take lives. The senseless murder of the police is not the answer. Being divisive is not the answer. We need empathy and compassion. We need to facilitate understanding of our cultural differences. We need love!
Entertainers have influence and a moral responsibility to represent their communities. I was born and raised in Harlem, New York during the tail end of the civil rights movement. I have experienced much prejudice and racism throughout my lifetime and see the many injustices still prevalent today. But with love, hope and action, we can make a change.
We need communication. We need mutual respect to bridge the gap. We must realize that we are all equal in the eyes of God.
As an ordained minister and chaplain, I conduct prison ministries, gang intervention initiatives and have led the Hip Hop Church for over a decade. Many others are also doing great work and are making a difference, but we need more.
In the near future, I will serve as a liaison to foster better relations between the community and officers who police them. I invite others to join me in this push for positive change.
Find your light. Find your purpose. Love is the answer. God Bless, Kurtis Blow
