SC Congresswoman Lauds Eartha Kitt

Isn't it way past due that Eartha Kitt should have been honored in her home state and her place of birth? Of course I now live here. Though I am not from South Carolina. And when you leave South Carolina. And I could be wrong. But when you think of Eartha Kitt the last thing you think of is that she was from South Carolina and from a small town called North. Now as not to offend anybody. I am not writing this editorial to offend anyone especially people in South Carolina and majorly in North. I am in fact from the mid west and my hometown if you want to call it that is on an Air base. When they close it down. Then my hometown will be my own state-of-mind.

Yes... North South Carolina is where a giant like Eartha Mae Kitt was born in 1927. Then she moved to New York and the rest is history. Of course including her banishment from the United states during the President Lyndon Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson Era. Probably the worst and maybe the best time of her life. Why the worst? Now she was woman without a country. Where did she go? Of course you know you traveled the globe. For me one of those places was the country of Turkei (Turkey). Not only was she loved by the Turkish people. But she could read,write,speak and sing in Turkish. A very famous Turkish song she sung in the 1950's before her deportation was Uskudara or also known as Katibim (My Secretary). And I am going to jump around a bit. So I apologize to any Eartha Kitt experts out there, those that have written books on this wonderful person, I apologize to her family for some of the disjointed parts of my editorial. But Turkey is going to be a big part of my defense for the reason why I want so much and for South Carolina to finally end the chapter of not giving Ms. Kitt the honor she should have had when she walked in splendor on this earth. You see. Before I came here. A very, very young in my twenties airman. I did not know that Ms. Kitt was from South Carolina. I had never heard of North (no offense) and really thought that calling a place North was some kind of joke. But then maybe people here in South Carolina and in North may have thought that Eartha Kitt wasn't going to amount to anything either. But like they say "Dynamite" comes in small packages. And when God is on your side. The Lord takes you on paths beyond your wildest dreams. Who out there doesn't remember the real "Cat Woman " it's Eartha Kitt. I grew up watching the 1960's Batman movie. The best and beloved lady villain was Eartha Kitt. And her singing was beyond reproach. But she did so much. I a life that too me still seemed to short to get all that she should have been honored for. Here in South Carolina when she was living she should have been given the key to the city of North. The Governor should have honored her with a state funeral. Flags should have flown at half mast. The mayor in 2008 should have recognized this native daughter. I don't blame her for not wanting to return here. But I can't dwell on a past sad time. I just believe that Ms. Kitt knows that we were fighting to see her get her day finally in South Carolina. For her for her daughter named after her. Kitt Shapiro and for Eartha's grandchildren. And for future generations. Here in South Carolina and in Connecticut (Westport is her official home of residence and North SC is her home of birth). I only hope to finally see her House Bill 3351 be passed into a law soon. Though I am not a resident of South Carolina I have been invited by the city of North by their Mayor, the North Chamber of Commerce and the citizens to participate in what Congresswoman Cobb-Hunter calls an official recognition of "Eartha Kitt Day" next year January 17th 2012. Please come and celebrate with us!!! And lastly I thank all who I know by name especially Congresswoman Gilda Cobb-Hunter and I thank those who I don't know but who cared.