Michael Brooks

I have no words. Yesterday we've lost a warrior for world-empathy. Michael Brooks died suddenly and unexpected at the young age of 36, and with his death the left has lost a unique voice that reached millions. I don't know him personally, but I've been following him for years now and it sure feels like a personal loss to me.

Michael Jamal Brooks was loved by everyone in the leftist political commentator sphere and all the reactions, not only now but during his active live, point to him being a very kind and empathetic man who touched the lives of everyone he came in contact with. If I had to describe his unique qualities as a leftist commentator and activist, I'd use the words from my introduction; he was a warrior for world-empathy. Michael Brooks was truly unique in the way he advocated for kindness and empathy, which he saw major components of the socialist ideology, on a global scale, but saw the need for incorporating a Machiavellian ruthlessness in order to overcome the neoliberal forces that stand in the way of his dream of global kindness, fairness, empathy and justice.

Like I said, I have no words and feel a mixture of sadness, anger and despair when I think about the gaping hole his sudden departure has left in the online leftist community. My thoughts and sympathy go out to his family, friends and colleagues of course, but also to the millions who, like me, have lost a guiding voice...

Have a look at the Wikipedia page that has been edited after his death, just to get a feel for how respected and loved this man was:

Fellow political commentators including his Majority Report and The Michael Brooks Show colleagues and Krystal Ball, Max Blumenthal, Jabari Brisport, Elizabeth Bruenig, Bill Corbett, Peter Daou, Matt Duss, Saagar Enjeti, Anthony Fantano, Briahna Joy Gray, Glenn Greenwald, Chris Hayes, John Iadarola, Owen Jones, Nomiki Konst, Ben Mankiewicz, Abby Martin, Vijay Prashad, Mike Prysner, Nathan J. Robinson, Jane Sanders, Michael Shure, David Shuster, David Sirota, Cenk Uygur, Ana Kasparian and Cornel West also rendered tribute to Brooks, as well as Los Angeles Chargers player Justin Jackson and 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries candidate Marianne Williamson.

Former President of Brazil Lula da Silva expressed his condolences, writing on Twitter: "My heart and prayers go to his family and friends. May his passion for social justice be remembered and inspire people around the world."
_{source: Wikipedia}

Ultimately I come to the same conclusion as most commentators who are equally shocked by this loss; the best thing we can do to honor Michael's life and his life's work, is to continue that work. To keep his voice alive through our own and to continue advocating for the better, more compassionate and equitable world that was his ideal. No one can truly replace his unique way of reaching out to people, his way of interviewing and his ability to always find some middle ground. His knowledge on international leftist affairs is unparalleled as far as I know, I have learned a lot from him in that field and will always remember his love for contemporary socialist heroes like Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil and Evo Morales of Bolivia, now both former presidents of their countries...

We will miss you. Rest in peace, comrade.

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