We dedicate today's Poetry Friday to Ken Screven, who passed away May 18, 2022.
Ken was the first Black male TV reporter in the Albany market and also the first openly gay TV reporter in the Albany market.
At his service held last Saturday at Albany's Palace Theatre, WRGB news anchor Liz Bishop shared stories of her longtime friendship with Ken and also spoke of his advocacy work,
"Ken preached the gospel of unity and acceptance, and used his position in the community and those stories and many more as teaching moments."
In 2020, he was honored with the Albany Damien Center Hero Award in recognition for his years of contributions to increasing the quality of life for individuals and families living with and affected by HIV/AIDS through the Damien Center.
Same Love
by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
"Gay" is synonymous with the lesser
It's the same hate that's caused wars from religion
Gender to skin color, the complexion of your pigment
The same fight that led people to walk-outs and sit-ins
It's human rights for everybody, there is no difference
Live on and be yourself
When I was at church they taught me something else
If you preach hate at the service, those words aren't anointed
That holy water that you soak in has been poisoned
When everyone else is more comfortable remaining voiceless
Rather than fighting for humans that have had their rights stolen
I might not be the same, but that's not important
No freedom 'til we're equal, damn right I support it.
Excerpt from "Same Love" by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, released on their debut album "The Heist" in 2012. It became the first song to explicitly promote same-sex marriage to hit the Top 40 in the US.
Macklemore told Writers Institute Director Paul Grondahl in October, 2020, said, "As an artist, I am committed to using my platform, resources and creativity to have an impact on racial and social justice issues."
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