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19 September 2024 Mr Eric J Porter Tribute
Mervelee Myers the Author of “IN HONOUR OF STRONG WOMEN EVERYWHERE” is privilege to be celebrating the life of Mr. Eric J. Porter aka Man-Man with his family and friends with my tribute. I must, therefore, apply a saying from Nelson Mandela “The Purpose of Freedom is to Create for Others”. I was honoured to meet Mr. Porter when I was sent to Elim House to find Aubyn Graham by a lady I meet in Bermondsey Southwark where I have been living the past 23 years 2000.
I will share the story about how Mr. Porter and Mervelee Myers became friends playing DOMINOES. Sometimes we were playing alone until we are joined by Fitz, the Driver of Elim House. My visits to Elim House were my escape from what my life had become after the death of my MOTHER with DEMENTIA in 2004.
As Mr. Porter’s generation are on transitions like my 101-year-old husband ARNOLD EBENEZER TOMLINSON who died in April 2024. I must confess that I was attracted to Mr. Porter because he and my husband were BORN in March. To share one of Marcus Garvey’s PHILOSOPHY. “If We as a PEOPLE Realised the GREATNESS from Which We CAME We Would be Less Likely to DISRESPECT Ourselves”.
Mervelee Myers must use the passing of Mr. Porter to highlight the LIVITY and UPLIFTMENT of the AFRICAN CARIBBEAN PEOPLE with our CONTRIBUTIONS and CONDOLENCES for the loss of another STALWART from the local communities. Who rendered his services and has gone on before to RIP.
People Of Mr. Porter’s age are known as “The Windrush Generation”. The Windrush Generation made valuable contributions to the United Kingdom UK from the Empire Windrush arrives here in June 1948. In honouring Mr. Porter for his contributions, we must be aware that DISCRIMINATION is taking tolls on “Future Windrush Generation” in 2024.
Today as we gather to celebrate the life of Mr. Porter let us start by honouring and acknowledging the roles of some of the persons amongst US. They are non-other than Rastafari Birdlegs as I must share my story of how Rastafari Birdlegs featured me on his Black Perspective Exhibition at Elim House. When I reached the end of my tether, caring for my HUSBAND. His place was where I found REFUGE “Creating the Legacies” from stories of the INJUSTICES faced by the “Windrush Generation” still happening in 2024.
Let me give Mr. Porter’s son Louis who I meet at Rastafari Birdlegs place a “Special Mention”. Growing up with seven (BROTHERS) I can understand why a SON would give up his worldly POSSESSION and DEDICATE his LIFE to CARING for his FATHER. Can I ask everyone celebrating with the PORTER Family to spare a thought for the “Windrush Generation” missing out on CARE.
May the ANCESTORS bless and guide Mr. Porter’s FAMILY and FRIENDS at this time of TRANSITIONING.
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Mervelee Myers FD (Open)
Mental Health & SEND Advocate
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