Bernie Mac, R.I.P.

Well, damn. We lost George Carlin and now the wonderful Bernie Mac, who died on Saturday.

What a loss. I loved him so much in “Ocean’s Eleven” — that angry, put-upon Black man routine was brilliant and not as easy to carry off as it looks. I loved Bernie Mac’s simmering rage. I loved that about Carlin, too. As a woman living in a world that is terrified of and harshly punitive of angry women, these guys expressed my rage for me, keeping me helpless with laughter while they did so. And that’s a gift.
Bless you, Bernie. Peace be upon you and consolation come to those who mourn you.