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Charlotte Amalie
Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesMORE PRAISES AND MOURNING FOR OTTLEY

MORE PRAISES AND MOURNING FOR OTTLEY

Condolences for a Great Man:
There were two great black politically powerful men in my young life: Pop Chambers of St. Louis, Missouri and Leon Jordan of Kansas City, Missouri, both Democrats, who welded political power on behalf of a politically strapped black community. Presidential candidates from Mr. Kennedy backwards consulted relative to the "Negro" vote. Mr. Earle B. Ottley, in 1973 when I first met him, joined my knowledge bank with those great men.
These three men had the power to give political representation in a society which had determined that voting, exercising political power and receiving political favors would be considered opportunities not available to people of color. They all had the power to command audiences with the most prominent of political figures but they always exercised that power on behalf of the citizens they served.
Mr. Ottley had the power and yet the compassion to be able to allow you to enjoy and feel comfortable in his presence. He never exercised a feeling of subordination, never ignored one's plea for assistance, returned any and all phone calls, spoke to everyone on the streets and did not separate his humanity by partisanship. He, like those two others mentioned above, knew that every footprint they put down was a giant footprint for their perceived mankind. They knew that they were the conduit for opportunities for their people and they never compromised nor apologized for being that conduit but exploited it always on behalf of others.
Power and humanity for them were exercised by mere telephone calls and sometimes whispered suggestions and the people reaped the benefits. A Virgin Islander, no, Mr. Ottley was a politically powerful gentleman and humanitarian for all humanity. I respected him and will carry that respect, even as a Republican, for the rest of my life and attempt to pass what I know of his legacy on to our youth no matter where they live or where they're from.
As a Republican, my wife a Democrat, we join as a family in extending our heartfelt sympathy to Mr. Earle B. Ottley's family and friends. May he finally
rest in peace.
Sincerely,
Krim Menelik Ballentine

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