A Thousand Thumbs Up to Roger Ebert
“‘Kindness’ covers all of my political beliefs. No need to spell them out. I believe that if, at the end, according to our abilities, we have done something to make others a little happier, and something to make ourselves a little happier, that is about the best we can do. To make others less happy is a crime. To make ourselves unhappy is where all crime starts. We must try to contribute joy to the world. That is true no matter what our problems, our health, our circumstances. We must try. I didn’t always know this and am happy I lived long enough to find it out.”
– Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert was born and grew up in my home town, Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. I never met him, but after watching him on TV for many years and relying on his published movie reviews for many more, I almost feel like he was a friend. I’ve admired his spirit as he dealt with cancer and loss.
Incredibly, I happened to be listening to music from Cinema Paradiso when I came across news of his death.
I will miss him.
Salon has posted a longer excerpt from Ebert’s memoirs titled “I do not fear death“.