James Posey, the president of the Portland NAACP, shared a heartfelt tribute on Facebook to Michael “Chappie” Grice, stating, “If only we all could be like Mike.” Grice was a revered educator, community leader, and activist in Portland, Oregon, known for his significant contributions to youth education and justice. Recently, news of his declining health has prompted an outpouring of tributes from various individuals and organizations across Portland and Oregon.
In his post, Posey expressed his sorrow at the news of Grice’s passing, reflecting on the wisdom of his father: “You don’t miss the water until the well runs dry.” He then posed a series of thought-provoking questions that highlighted the vital role Grice played in the community:
– Who will ensure we greet our children at the start of the school year with love and pride?
– Who will send late-night reminders about important meetings concerning our youth?
– Who will continuously educate us about our proud history and the sacrifices made by our elders for our freedom?
– Who will instill in us a relentless passion for prioritizing our children’s needs?
– Who will step up to create and support initiatives that uplift our young people?
– Who will challenge our schools and the broader community to strive for better outcomes for our children?
– Who will set the standard for perseverance, persistence, and advocacy?
– Who will make daily sacrifices to mentor, employ, encourage, and advocate for our youth?
– Who will fight tirelessly to honor our history and illuminate possibilities for future generations?
– Who will model decency, discipline, integrity, and hard work for our young people?
– Who will steadfastly uphold the truth that Black Lives Matter, no matter the challenges faced?
– Who will guide us toward a positive future, keeping us focused on our goals?
– And finally, who will continue to share those light-hearted jokes that bring us joy?
Posey concluded his tribute with a poignant message, saying, “Mike, we’re going to miss you so much. Rest in peace and power.”
