Voices: Remembering a journalistic giant
George E. Curry, an influential journalist who was a columnist, reporter and editor in chief of Emerge magazine, died Aug. 20 at 69.
1995 was the beginning of the blessing of George Curry in my life.
“What do you do here?” George energetically asked me. He was a guest on a show at a news station where I worked as an associate producer. Big names flowed through the newsroom on a regular basis, but no one ever gave me pause until George.
I had long been a fan of the great journalist George Curry. He immediately began a conversation with me because that is what George did. He saw a then-young African-American person working in a mainstream newsroom. It was second nature for George to reach out. Without hesitation, George gave me his contact information and instant inspiration. And guess what. When I called him, he answered. Over the years, he never stopped answering. Despite George’s full journalistic plate, he always had time.
George was a longtime newspaper reporter who became the editor in chief of Emerge magazine, which was “Black America’s Newsmagazine.” He later served as editor in chief of the National Newspaper Publishers Association. George was a fearless truth seeker and an eternal champion and staunch defender of the black press, black readers and civil rights. George dove into topics that others dared not touch. It didn’t matter who you were or what the fallout might be, George called it like he saw it. Some people thought Emerge’s cover photos were politically provocative. The covers were actually bold and truthful, just like the man at the helm of the magazine. Two controversial covers involved Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, one with him wearing an Aunt Jemima-style headscarf and another depicting him as a lawn jockey.
Who knew that a few years after that fateful encounter and simple question of “What do you do here?” I would have the honor of working with George on BET’s Lead Story, a weekly political affairs show. George was a regular on the panel. My mind was blown! Am I actually suggesting stories to THE George Curry? Is THE George Curry shooting down some of my ideas but actually accepting most of them? I cherish all of George’s blunt, profound, solicited and unsolicited professional and personal advice.
• “That’s not the way we should do this. The angle should be …”
• “Girl, be glad that’s over. He was a waste of your time!”
• ”YOUUUU cooked this? It’s actually good! There are miracles!”
George never minced words. George pushed you. George encouraged you. George stretched you. George accepted only the best from you.
It’s interesting that George’s last name is Curry. Curry dishes often have a mixture of complex spices. George was just that: a complex mixture. I’ve seen George rattle off historical facts, victoriously debate heavy hitters, seamlessly weave a James Brown lyric into a conversation, talk about hearing bombs overhead while reporting in a war zone, then crack a joke about something I was wearing. George was a gentleman, a chronic door opener and umbrella holder. That chivalry comes from how he was raised in Tuscaloosa, Ala. George was the spice that made the lives of others delicious.
When I learned that I had a new personal and professional angel, I cried and cried. After the tears, I smiled when I thought of George’s megawatt smile, his jokes and his undying passion for the truth. He had recently made sure that Emerge magazine reemerged in the digital world. He was raising funds so EmergeNewsOnline could fill the void that was left when Emerge magazine closed in 2000. Even in George’s passing (I can’t say “death” because his works and love will live forever), he still provides opportunity.
It’s sadly poetic that the fact that he is no longer with us is the reason that I’m writing my first piece for a national newspaper. Without a doubt, George is in heaven, still being an advocate and making other angels belly laugh.
Walton is a television producer and a former television reporter.