I was just watching the bit of the Fresh Prince reunion where they were all talking about Uncle Phil and I genuinely burst into tears full on.

Now I never ever do that. And I just started thinking about why I was crying, I obviously didn’t know James Avery but that man had such a significant impact on me.

As a young boy and now, I’ve always had a thirst for knowledge and a passion for politics. I would constantly be told by so many people that I never acted “black” enough. And I was never hurt by it, I would say. But as a young black boy I felt in a sense isolated from my race just because I didn’t like things that were stereotypically black. My mom had the same experience growing up and always tried to keep my spirits up, and while to an extent it helped. But Uncle Phil was my true reassurance.

He was a successful black lawyer who was born into an impoverished family and eventually became a judge. That sort of drive and willingness to be himself really gave me a roll model to look up to. His history wasn’t very delved into, but I think that if he had doubters on his rise to success he definitely would not have taken it. He would’ve kept going and not have stopped until he got what he wanted. And that idea about what uncle Phil represents just really had an impact on me from a very young age.

I hadn’t realized it had until today when I watched the reunion. I always cry at the scene when Wills’ dad left him (like most do) and I always thought it was because of Wills’ phenomenal acting in the scene. But I now realize that it was because Uncle Phil was there for him, yes they had differences but Uncle Phil was always Wills’ dad and in many ways he was a dad to so many young black men and was a roll model for all men in general.

And I know, it’s just a show and we shouldn’t be that emotionally connected and I’m sure someone is going to tell me Im extra, but I genuinely do not care. I’m just so thankful for Avery in that roll. If he were alive today I don’t think he would ever truly understand the impact of the character he preformed and what effect he would leave on so many peoples lives. I’m just so sad I can never thank him for all he’s done for me personally because my god did he do a lot!

I know that when I have kids they will be watching the Fresh prince and I hope they too will understand the impact of that show and the impact of James Avery.

I know that it’s a cliche to say, but Rest In Peace Uncle Phil. Your memory will truly live on.