Ralph began her career on the stage and was nominated in 1982 for a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role as Deena Jones in Dreamgirls, Named Best College Actress in 1974. In June 2000, Ralph sued The National Enquirer for one million dollars over a piece they had written about her and her husband. She was voted one of TV’s Favorite Moms for her portrayal of step mom Dee on the number-one rated television series Moesha. She also appeared on the Showtime series, Barbershop, as the popular, post-operative transsexual, Claire. Recently, Sheryl brought a new face to the sufferings of war in the NBC hit series ER.
Today, March 1, 2011; she left me with a mind moving message; “Shift the Tide” Meaning its about time for change. Its about time for our community, (black community) to do better. She wants our women to change their reasoning for going to college. Explaining that today we are in school for sex, drugs, and parties, but its time to shift the tide. Its time for your females to learn for the Kardashian out piece but choose a better bath. “Inner Dialect should never be outer Dialect”; meaning our country is expecting us to use profanity and speak our mind, but we shouldn’t give them the satisfaction. These are numerous of quotes from her that left me thinking;
- Who are you going to be?
- Be as nice as you can, for as long as you can, to as many people as you can
- Get up look in the Mirror and LOVE what you see
- Pay attention to Life
- Life is hard, then you die. Its how you get through it that counts.
- Education is KEY!
By, Luke Lawal Jr
Bowie State University
