| Rufus and Lynn Shaw Are Dead |
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| by Tom Pauken | Tue, Mar 11, 2008, 04:28 PM |
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Longtime Dallas Blog columnist Rufus Shaw and his wife Lynn were found dead late Monday evening. Rufus’ final column had been sent to me on Sunday and posted on our Viewpoints page Monday. Rufus Shaw was not afraid to speak his mind on issues affecting the African-American community here in Preliminary reports are that he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. It is hard to understand why all of this happened. A star athletic at SMU, a longtime community leader in Dallas, an influential voice in our city, a man who marched to his own drummer and a writer whose analytical abilities were superb, Rufus Shaw never struck me as the kind of person who would take the drastic actions that are being speculated about in the media in the wake of last night’s tragedy. Our prayers are with the remaining family members. Rufus Shaw was my friend. I will miss him.
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Comments (43)
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written by Tom McGregor , March 11, 2008 This is a day of mourning for the Dallas Blog. Mr. Shaw was a courageous and eloquent writer. He cared deeply about the African-American community in Dallas. He will be greatly missed by the Dallas Blog.
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written by Lakewooder , March 11, 2008 I enjoyed reading Rufus. Even though I did not always agree with him about there being a 'black' Dallas and a 'white' Dallas, I relished the parrying. RIP Rufus, Dallas will miss your voice. Better days are ahead for all because of your contributions.
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written by D.D. , March 11, 2008 I can't believe that Mr. Shaw didn't think about the big picture....His Son!! As well as other children as stated in the DallasNews. I am sadden and angry because a great man has fallen and has taken a life as well as destroyed lives. I pray that the Lord keep His Son who is graduating in May and gives him strength during his time of grief.
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written by HSH , March 11, 2008 This is such a tragedy on so many levels. Mr. Shaw was a bright, courageous writer who clearly loved his community and only wanted it to be safer, more prosperous, better educated and far more active. His voice here was always welcome. May G-d give his children and family strength and compassion over the coming months.
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written by Lena Carr , March 11, 2008 I do not believe that this was a suicide. I believe that it was made to look that way. In an article on today's WFAA's website, Sen. West stated in his last call from Mr. Shaw that "his enemies would make sure that they were dead before the end of the day". Who were these "enemies" and what did Mr. Shaw know that cost him his life. These are the questions that we should be asking. Our government is VERY adept at making murders look like suicide or accidents. It is more routine than most people realize. We will probably never know who ordered this "hit" or for what reason(s). There's no telling what Mr. Shaw may have discovered in his work as a political analyst, not to mention his fearlessness in exposing corruption where he found it.
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written by Byron George , March 11, 2008 HSH, Was the G-d in your post a typo? Lena, As sad as this is, from the article that Tom wrote it seems some family members may have been concerned about suicide. Why he did it, we may never know.
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written by James W. Walker , March 11, 2008 I will miss going back and forth with Rufus on the issues. I'll leave it to the experts to figure out what happened, but it is a tragedy either way. May God bless his children.
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written by Brenda Nelms , March 11, 2008 I did not know the Shaws. But after reading about the phone call his son received his parents, my heart goes out to him and his siblings. I am saddened that they felt that they had to make the ultimate sacrifice because of problems. From everything that I have read, their children will always have one great comfort—that their parents loved each other even until death.
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written by sandy kress , March 11, 2008 i am so sad reading this news. i haven't seen or visited with lynn or rufus for over 10 years - really since my family moved to austin. but i'm in tears. rufus was honest, courageous, audacious, truth-telling, fearless, caring, passionate, relentless, sometimes maddening. in a way, a prophet - rufus told truth to power - both black power and white power. neither side liked hearing it much, but rufus spoke it. i know his was a lonely path. whatever his flaws, rufus shaw merited the deepest admiration and respect. lynn was one of the absolute loveliest persons i have ever known. sweet, caring, smart. it haunts me. i haven't spoken with either one of them in over a decade, and yet i can hear their voices at this moment. i am so very sad at this news.
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written by Taylor , March 11, 2008 Byron, Some faiths belive(I think Judaism is one) that it's an insult to refer to God by name, thus the O being left out, or G-D I'm really sad for loved ones of the Shaws & their friends, sorry to see Lynn and Rufus leave the Earth so soon, but I'm also angry at Rufus...if it's true he pulled the trigger to end not only his life but Lynns. May they both be at peace now.
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written by Gyna M. Bivens , March 11, 2008 I am among the fortunate who knew Rufus as friend. A conversation with him was like an exciting ride on an intellectual roller coaster. He was insightful, respected and thoughtful. I will never forget the national spotlight he caused to be pointed toward Dallas when he wrote "that" book:-). Newsrooms who wanted to show a fair and balanced product often turned to Rufus for his political and organizational views. This is a sad day and especially sad for those of us who call ourselves KKDA family members. That exclusive group includes the likes of Willis 'da Crooner' Johnson, Tom Joyner, Chris, Peter, Iola, Joycelyn, Millie and many more. He touched so many and made us all proud from SMU to Sunny South Dallas.
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written by Carlton D. Walker , March 11, 2008 Iam saddened to know that two prestigious, family oriented and greatly respected community icons such as Mr. Rufus and Mrs. Lynn Flint Shaw would see murder or suicide as an options to resolve not only their problems. For sake of the family's legacy I would like to believe their was a third party involved in the death of the Mr. and Mrs. Shaw. I pray investigators rule out all other notions before labeling this a murder/suicide.
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written by Jonathan Green , March 11, 2008 Sunset and evening star And one clear call for me! And may there be no moaning of the bar, When I put out to sea, But such a tide as moving seems asleep, Too full for sound and foam, When that which drew from out the boundless deep Turns again home. Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell, When I embark; For though from out our bourne of Time and Place The flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot face to face When I have crossed the bar.
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written by Jonathan Green , March 11, 2008 Peace Out Rufus, you representing well, and most of all, you kept it real!!!
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written by GDL , March 11, 2008 I didn't know the Shaw's personally; surely I couldn't agree with all their opinions, but Dallas has lost two people who did much good for and in our community.
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written by Lady Pat Clark , March 11, 2008 Why Rufus, why? Didn't you know that all things work together for the good of them that love the Lord? Why couldn't you and Lynn trust that and just wait. Even if the issues were not as you would have them be, you have left your family in shock and with extreme total grief, and oh my God, your child/children, what will their life be like from now on? Having had a brother who committed suicide, you never get over it. So family, my prayers and love are with you. Trusting God will be the ONLY thing to get you through the coming days. We will miss them both. They were not just taking up space on earth, they had a purpose for being here. I feel cheated that they are no longer here.
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written by CRSHAW , March 11, 2008 By CRShaw, It's a great lost to our community to see our friend,classmate and most of all a man who kept it very real for us. My prays are with his family.
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written by Grrr , March 11, 2008 Farewell, you will be greatly missed. May God keep you in peace.
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written by tge , March 11, 2008 Could it possibly be that the pressure of the impending charges were just too much to deal with? I mean you have a reputation to live up to like so many other people in a position of power. Then you slip and fall it's a lot to deal with and many people deal with it in many different ways. Look at the news today many leaders in positions of power making a difference making mistakes in judgement and having to deal with getting caught with their hands in the cookie jar. To assume that it was a third party that did this is trying to justify that a person who worked for the good could possibly ever do anything wrong. The son stated that they called and left him direction on how to handle things. It is however a sad thing that we judge people by the mistakes that they make and not the accomplishments that they have done.
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written by BettyCulbreath , March 11, 2008 I will miss my friends. The call I missed when Lynn said "just called to check in" and I did notplay the message until this morning when my Dear friend was already dead. Rufus such a smart man, with deep feelings for his community. Why Rufus and Lynn did none of us feel or see your pain, because you were Loved by many people?
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written by Ken Kalthoff - NBC5 , March 11, 2008 I covered this story today and it was very troubling. I've spoken with Rufus Shaw many times about Dallas politics and we always had a hard time ending our conversation. He was very engaging. Like everyone I spoke with today about him, I was indeed shocked by this news. I would have imagined Rufus Shaw fighting instead of giving up, no matter who the "enemy" was.
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written by Chuck Wall , March 12, 2008 I last saw Rufus in 1980. I remember it because I was moving on to a new career--out of radio--and he was such a positive and wonderful encourager. As fellow Mustangs, we winked and nodded about the best team money could buy! Even after nearly 30 years, I can still recall his deep laugh and joy. This is incredibly tragic and I am saddened beyond words. May God grant their children a peace and deep comfort as they come to terms with their loss.
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written by Del (Bajito Onda) Hendrixson , March 12, 2008 Dallas Wake Up! Do not let this pain that has shocked you into disbelief be swept under your 'vulgar opulent' rug. Texas Wake Up! People are accused of and commit crimes when really they are screaming out for help. The Shaws were loved by many many people, yet blame yourselves because you did not hear their cries when they called you. When you saw them. How could you think a person publicly accused of a crime, ridiculed in front of all who know them would not be paralyzed with fear of the unknown after the fact. I am a person who was accused of a nonviolent crime - I faced the same fears - I was sent to prison as those around me asked 'what's going to happen to me?' I spent a very sad year in prison when really what I needed was someone to help me over the grief of losing my father. I was crying out from the pain and no one realized I needed help not prison. After trying to be accepted for seven long years I was going to kill innocent persons - then myself when God spoke to me and told me instead to help others - to look for their pain when they are smiling on the outside - and to hear the pain in their voice and to ask that person even a total stranger. 'How you doing today my friend?' I went for 11 years without even a hug in Hater Dallas in Denial. The Shaws needed old fashioned love that is non existant in Dallas today. A few months ago I was also calling people telling them goodbye. I thought it was the end again. But thank God - I prayed I would get past my lonely battle in East Dallas. I have spent twenty years helping persons who have been to prison - yet Dallas did not care enough to help back. In order to even survive Dallas I had to sell all of my equipment and leave Dallas. Because my friends stories like the Shaws are happening right next to you - but you are not even caring. You are too busy missing the messages from those in pain around you. Wake up Dallas! - I left you for Brazil where I am now at. I dread returning to Dallas someday - Where have the families gone? Where have the old fashioned times? Is it really worth your endless rat race for what you achieve when you lay your head down at night. Can you sleep knowing you should have been there - you could have been there - but you weren't. Dallas I hold you responsible for the deaths of the Shaws as well as all the other innocent lives falling around you who you did nothing to prevent and nothing when they need help. You are always - too busy. I gave it up. You can have it. I will take my office in cyberspace - where I can work in Dallas but live in Brazil making more progress now than was ever possible there. God Bless the Shaw's souls and I wish I had been there because I would have told them 'its gonna pass - its gonna be okay'. Suicide and an act like this will never be forgotten - but to the young man in College - please bear up and continue your education in the name of your Mom and Dad. They were suffering and did not mean for this to end your schooling. Continue on - God will Bless you.
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written by smdavis , March 12, 2008 as a african american male i am greatly sadden that my generation has lost a voice of reason, conflict and courage. to the flint/shaw families my deepest sympathy go out to you guys. may GOD bless you and keep in your time of loss. remember, "for the good of those who love the Lord" it will work out
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written by Steve Heath , March 12, 2008 What a tragedy. My prayers are for Rufus, Lynn and his family. I hope there is a full and complete investigation of the events surrounding their deaths so that his family and friends can have some peace of mind and move on with their lives, remembering all that was good about their lives and their legacy to the community.
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written by Caroln J. Barta , March 12, 2008 This is a sad, sad day for our small Dallasblog community and Dallas at large. Rufus always brought an informed yet independent voice to his political analysis. He was never afraid to cut across the grain. Yet, our efforts to peruse the news and take the pulse of the community pale in the face of this occurrence. It is a tragedy and we wonder now how our community might better have met the needs of these distraught individuals. Our hearts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Rufus and Lynn, and we will miss him at Dallasblog.
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written by HSH , March 12, 2008 Byron -- I can't believe you questioned my language rather than focusing on the message, but to enlighten you, many people of faith, and some faiths, Judaism specifically, do not write the name of G-d with ordinary language to emphasize the difference between the human and the divine. Nothing more. No need to question. As Carolyn and Ken said, this is a huge heartbreak for all of us, even those who differed with Rufus and Lynn. The pressures of daily life today for many people in Dallas, not just our friends who left us Monday, is often overwhelming. We should all rededicate ourselves to working together to ease that pressure in whatever way possible.
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written by Carl E. Johnson , March 12, 2008 The "Real Deal" will be sorely missed.Rufus told it like it was whether you liked it or not.
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written by kristy , March 12, 2008 I lost both my brother and grandfather to suicide, and i know the devastation that it leaves in it's wake. I can only begin to imagine how 'out of options' these 2 people must have felt to believe this was the only answer. How tragic for their families and friends left behind to ask the "coulda, shoulda, woulda" questions. I still ask those questions, especially about my brother, every single day. Maybe if we were kinder. Maybe if we considered what other people carried in their hearts and on their shoulders.
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written by L. Faye Williams , March 12, 2008 My prayers are with the son and other family members
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written by Joey McAdamson , March 13, 2008 Uh, I'm sure he was a good guy and all, but isn't this kind of the easy way out of problems? I can't really condone this kind of behavior.
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written by Making The Walls Transparent , March 13, 2008 A dark cloud hangs over our city and many share the heavy heart caused by this tragic set of events. May God Bless Your Souls and Bring Peace And Comfort To Those Friends And Family You Have Left Behind Lakeith Amir-Sharif
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written by Called To Care , March 14, 2008 May the Lord grant peace to Rufus' and Lynn's souls. May we all send collective love to their survivors, especially their children. May the pain and loss of those who are near and dear to Rufus and Lynn be comforted and healing come quickly. May we all love and understand more and hate and speculate less. We will understand it all better by and by. I met Rufus nearly 20 year ago. He remained the same for all the years I have known him in good as well as and challenging times. I totally respected his honesty. It did not matter if I agreed with him . . . he was honest in his opinions and had the right to express them. Be encouraged!
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written by Twin in Los Angeles. , March 15, 2008 Rufus and I were classmates and neighbors growing up in South Dallas. I hadn't talked to him since I moved to Los Angeles. He never backed down from anybody or anything. Only God knows why he chose this act to do. My deepest sympathy to his four childern. May God Bless His Soul.
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written by Bilson Davis , March 16, 2008 From Bilson Davis of Dallas, currently a resident of Los Angeles for 30 years; We were youngsters together in South Dallas and I can't believe he's gone.His storylines have followed him, even to Los Angeles. And now my thoughts return to brighter days and the prolific man he became.My heartfelt prayers are with Rufus and Lynn in death, and the family they leave behind in this life.His words remain to remind the world of his message, his passion, his life.
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written by Bert Hurlbut , March 24, 2008 A German's View on Islam > > > > If you delete this without sending it on dont > cry when you are left with nothing !!!???.. > .Dr. Emanual Tanay is a well known and well > respected psychiastrist. > > > > > > A German's point of view on Islam. > > > > > > A man whose family was German aristocracy prior > to World War ll owned > a number of large industries and estates. When > asked how many German > people were true Nazis, the answer he gave can > guide our attitude > toward fanaticism. > > > > > > 'Very few people were true Nazis 'he said,' but > many enjoyed the > return of German pride, and many more were too > busy to care. I was > one of those who just thought the Nazis were a > bunch of fools. So, > the majority just sat back and let it all > happen. Then, before we > knew it, they owned us, and we had lost control, > and the end of the > world had come. My family lost everything. I > ended up in a > concentration camp and the Allies destroyed my > factories.' > > > > > > We are told again and again by 'experts' and > 'talking heads' that > Islam is the religion of peace, and that the > vast majority of Muslims > just want to live in peace. Although this > unqualified assertion may > be true, it is entirely irrelevant. It is > meaningless fluff, meant to > make us feel better, and meant to somehow > diminish the spectra of > fanatics rampaging across the globe in the name > of Islam. The fact is > that the fanatics rule Islam at this moment in > history. > > > > > > It is the fanatics who march. It is the fanatics > who wage any one of > 50 shooting wars worldwide. It is the fanatics > who systematically > slaughter Christian or tribal groups throughout > Africa and are > gradually taking over the entire continent in an > Islamic wave. It is > the fanatics who bomb, behead, murder, or honor > kill. It is the > fanatics who take over mosque after mosque. It > is the fanatics who > zealously spread the stoning and hanging of rape > victims and > homosexuals. The hard quantifiable fact is that > the 'peaceful > majority', the 'silent majority', is cowed and > extraneous. > > > > > > Communist Russia was comprised of Russians who > just wanted to live in > peace, yet the Russian Communists were > responsible for the murder of > about 20 million people. The peaceful majority > were irrelevant. > China's huge population was peaceful as well, > but Chinese Communists > managaed to kill a staggering 70 million people. > > > > > > The average Japanese individual prior to World > War ll was not a > warmongering sadist. Yet, Japan murdered and > slaughtered its way > across South East Asia in an orgy of killing > that included the > systematic murder of 12 million Chinese > civilians; most killed by > sword, shovel, and bayonet. > > And, who can forget Rwanda, which collapsed into > butchery. Could it > not be said that the majority of Rwandans were > 'peace loving'? > > History lessons are often incredibly simple and > blunt, yet for all our > powers of reason we often miss the most basic > and uncomplicated of > points: Peace-loving Muslims have been made > irrelevant by their > silence. Peace-loving Muslims will become our > enemy if they don't > speak up, because like my friend from Germany, > they will awaken one > day and find that the fanatics own them, and the > end of their world > will have begun. > > Peace-loving Germans, Japanese, Chinese, > Russians, Rwandans, Serbs, > Afghanis, Iraqis, Palestinians, Somalis, > Nigerians, Algerians, and > many others have died because the peaceful > majority did not speak up > until it was too late. > As for us who watch it all unfold, we must pay > attention to the only > group that counts; the fanatics who threaten our > way of life. > > Lastly, at the risk of offending, anyone who > doubts that the issue is > serious and just deletes this email without > sending it on, is > contributing to the passiveness that allows the > problems of expand. > So, extend yourself a bit and send this on and > on and on! Let us hope > that thousands, world wide, read this – Think about it and send it on. > Write comment
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