Mogul or Monster? The Legacy of Ike Turner

Ike Turner, 76, died of undisclosed causes in his suburban San Marcos home on December 12, 2007.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer was credited with producing the first Rock and Roll recording (Rocket 88) and several chart topping hits. In the musical community he is seen as one of the primary architects of the R&B rock and roll genre. A prolific guitarist that had a way with words, Turner made a name for himself on talent and determination.

However, Turner was not only a legend for his music, but also the melody he played outside of the studio. His drug use and violently turbulent marriage to Tina Turner were documented in the 1986 autobiography “I,Tina” and the 1993 film “What’s Love Got To Do With It?” As reported in USA Today article published on December 13th, Ike Turner disputed his portrayal in both instances.

How is this man to be remembered? For his remarkable ability to move a nation through song, or his inability to keep a raging anger in check? An extensive article by MSNBC suggests that Turner had begun to reconstruct his image as of late, even winning a Grammy in 2007, but acknowledged that his reputation was still representative of the man who abused Tina Turner.

Reportedly Tina Turner declined to comment on Ike Turner’s death. Her spokeswoman, Michele Schweitzer said in a statement “Tina is aware that Ike passed away earlier today. She has not had any contact with him in 35 years. No further comment will be made.”

Fault and talent are two things that never fall far apart. However the overlap leaves only one able to prevail. Should the smooth bass line of guitar riff overshadow brutal domestic abuse? Should one’s character be defined in one period of their life? How will society regard this man in history?

The truth is that Ike Turner was both – an achievement and a disappointment, talented and flawed. Though to ignore that in the wake of his death would be a disservice to his memory no matter which way those remembering are swayed.

In his own words during an interview with the Associated Press “I know what I am in my heart. And I know regardless of what I’ve done, good and bad, it took it all to make me what I am today,”

Operation Home Base Provides Home Away From Home for Youth

They are everywhere – street corners, subways stations, sidewalks, storefront doorways. Oftentimes their struggle for shelter, food, and help go unnoticed or even ignored. They, are the homeless. However, the struggle to survive can be made all the more difficult when you’re “different”.

In a 2007 report conducted by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, approximately 20 to 40 percent of the estimated 15,000 to 20,000 of homeless youth in New York City identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT).

In an effort to decrease these numbers the Bronx Community Pride Center, located at 448 East 149th Street in the South Bronx, created Operation Home Base. The program, funded by New York City’s Department of Youth and Community Development, provides homeless and runaway youth with intervention, case management and counseling on homelessness, psychosocial issues and academic performance.

Utilized by generally Black and Latino youth between the ages of 17-24 of all genders and orientations, Operation Home Base negotiates LGBT friendly emergency housing with organizations such as Covenant House, Green Chimneys, and Carmen’s Place. This month the center estimated that they connected about 130 Bronx youths to resources regarding emergency housing.

Although Director of Research, Evaluation, and Outreach, Zachariah Hennessey, acknowledges the other services the city offers for displaced youth, he recognizes the pride center’s unique position in the borough. “We are the only drop-in center for runaway and homeless youth,” he said. “And the only organization that provides special services for LGBT people.”

Sean Coleman, Operation Home Base Coordinator said that although the program is designed to accommodate LGBT youth no one will be turned away. Due to its position as the Bronx’s only drop-in center most clients are dealing with several external factors including home hostility, teenage rebellion, intolerance of sexuality, as well as issues of abuse, he said.

With a heavy emphasis on education, family mediation and reunification Operation Home Base intends to instill youth with the tools to cope with the issues that resulted in their displacement.

If programs like Operation Home Base weren’t provided Arbert Santana, Director of Youth Services, sees kids “falling between the cracks.” “I definitely believe that we are one of the few agencies that help fill those cracks by linking people to resources,” he said. By connecting youth with counselors, agencies, and outside resources the pride center hopes to ensure that they will have a place to lay their heads.

“At the end of the day we are providing a safe space for their [the Bronx’s] youth,” said Coleman. “And hopefully the emphasis won’t be on just their sexuality,” he said. “These are just kids and that should supercede everything else,” said Coleman.