Rufus Shaw and Lynn Flint Shaw found dead Monday evening
Categories: African-American, Dallas, Media, Politics and Elections, Road and Transportation
Written By: Shawn Williams
What can you say but…..man. As I went through my morning routine checking news sites I saw a disturbing headline at DallasNews.com: Two found fatally shot at former DART chairwoman’s home.
The News reports that Rufus Shaw died of a self inflicted gun shot wound. The story by Dave Levinthal and Scott Goldstein says that “the body of a woman was also found.” Everyone that I’ve spoken with has confirmed that the woman is Mrs. Shaw.
I first met Mrs. Shaw during the 2006 Dallas Bond Campaign. She was one of those in charge of educating the citizens of Southern Dallas about the merits of the proposal. The measure very well received among black voters due in large part to the efforts of Mrs. Shaw.
She was later appointed chairwoman of the DART Board of Directors. She eventually resigned that post after she was accused of forging a letter on Dallas DA Craig Watkins’ letter head.
I never met Rufus Shaw, but in many ways he was my first blogging mentor. When I started Dallas South, I had no idea who else was out there in the black blog world. I found two people, Mike Davis at Dallas Progress and Rufus Shaw who was part of DallasBlog.com .
Rufus wrote many thoughtful columns/posts regarding the Dallas political landscape. He was as passionate about the pervasiveness of racism in Dallas politics as he was about the infighting among the African-American “leadership” in the city. I often left comments on Rufus’ posts and was impressed by how he was about to express his opinions at a mainstream forum like Dallas Blog.
Scott and Dave’s article pulls an excerpt of a January 13 post written by Rufus that lays it all out Rufus’ thoughts pretty clearly.
“I have often said in this column that being married to me is Lynn Flint-Shaw’s biggest political liability,” Mr. Shaw wrote. “As a writer, I have made a career out of exposing the corrupt, the inept, and the purveyors of hate and personal destruction in the black community. For my efforts, I have earned the hatred of a great many dysfunctional black political players as well as the scorn of a number of big business types who I have exposed for their broken promises to southern Dallas.
“The end result,” Mr. Shaw continued, “is that African-Americans who seek to work with the white community without race being a factor or those African-Americans who seek to do the job that is best for the whole city are demonized, set up, and destroyed.”
I am overcome with sadness for the way this has all unfolded. Our community needs more leaders like the Shaw’s and what they have stood for over the years. Regardless of the outcome of police investigations, we see the results of more black on black violence and two more deaths by gunfire. My prayers are with the family that has been impacted by this tragic loss.
Photo from ClassicalTexas.com
March 11th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
I agree, the two will be missed terribly. I did know Lynn but I knew Rufus very well. Rufus was always there when I needed guidance or someone to talk to. Rufus was my mentor and confidente. I am deeply saddened and will miss him. This is very sad and very hard. My prayers are with the family and especially their son. I am still in disbelief.
March 13th, 2008 at 5:45 am
I can’t get past what the two have done to the son left behind. That to me is the “UNFORGIVEABLE”, that would simply devastate me. It’s one thing for your parents to die/be killed but for them to take their own lives-I simply can’t get with that…..
March 13th, 2008 at 8:21 am
This tragic event catapulted the keen and witful into another mental dimension. Self-evaluation has become primary for those of us who are destined for greatness. It is the simple things in life that determine our actions and outcomes. I told my husband that we have a greater commitment not only to ourselves, our children, and our community because everyone near and far will be affected by our selfish choices.
March 13th, 2008 at 9:12 am
I can’t believe their situation was worth dying for; not at all. His death was an act of extreme-selfishness; money isn’t everything. Their lives proved this fact….. what look good on the outside, doesn’t alway look good on the inside.
Give your LIFE and Heart to JESUS, before its too late. Then YOU will have true VICTORY.
March 14th, 2008 at 9:33 am
SELFISH! SELFISH! SELFISH! of these two individuals. Normally I do not pass judgement but to do that to their son is unforgiveable. My prayers are with the you Ian, and as you go thru these trying times, lean not to your own understanding, give your burdens to the Lord.
March 14th, 2008 at 10:34 am
To their Son…may God hold gather you unto his his chest, comfort and strengthen you in this time. In the days ahead–turn off the noise made by critics and those who would judge your mother and father. I never heard of your parents until this tragic moment–still I know that what you need most, is to remember above all else that they did love you with all their heart. Somewhere inside of them was a pain so profound that caused them to believe that this final act would somehow spare you. As to the rest of you, already throwing stones, be still…you never know what tragedy lies ahead for you and yours.
Madeline McCray
Stay Strong: “Healing Starts With Us”
March 14th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
My deapest, deepest sympathy to the families.
March 15th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
I knew there son Ian in high school. I was so sorry and shocked to hear about this. Lets keep him in our prayers.
March 18th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
my deepest sympathy to you Ian , I’m not the judge nor the finisher of this world I am just a plain small morsel that serves and loves the Lord, grab hold of the Lord he knows what you need, you can get through this but you will never forget, but know this, blessed are you because you mourn your lost and blessed are the peace makers, you will become the peace maker in this life.
March 19th, 2008 at 10:04 am
I cant belive shes gone mrs.shaw was my therapist for my vocal cord disorder.rip
April 7th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
I know the flint family very well. I pray that their souls are resting in peace. I did not expect two people as wise/educated as they were , would do something like this. But only God chooses your destiny. When you die, you never know how, but when it is you time. No matter how, when, or why, you cant fight the Lords battles, you have to go where you came from.
I pray that Rufus is resting in peace and the Lord has forgiven him. I forgive him.
April 7th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Forgot to add this:
I also pray for the Flint family, that they find peace and that they have forgiven him also.
And dont read all that crazy stuff/foolishness in the newspaper and internet. Only Lynn Flint Shaw, Rufus Shaw, and God knew what went on that night of the shooting.
It is amazing that the media will tear stuff up all for a lousy buck. Lynn and Rufus’s bodies aren’t cold yet and the media is tearing them up.
The media needs to find peace within themselves and do something constructive to do instead of trying to tearing their son and the famlies up with such garbage.