A provocative testament to the power of the people
and our relationship to freedom:
Rod Bush: Lessons from a Radical Black Scholar
on Liberation, Love, and Justice
Available for purchase and open access download for teaching purposes
Beloved friend, comrade, professor, teacher, mentor,
soulmate and partner, father, grandfather, favorite son-in-law…
Born on November 12, 1945, Roderick Douglas Bush passed on December 5, 2013, six years to the day that his beloved mother, Margaret Janette Craddock Bush was lay to rest.
Rod leaves behind his soulmate and partner for over 30 years, Melanie E L Bush and their cherished daughter Sarafina F. Bush; beloved son and daughter Malik L. Bush and Thembi N. Bush Tillman (Betty Ann Penda Kane); adored granddaughter Tajalia, four treasured grandsons Angelo, Orlando, Jedidiah, Wisdom, very loved god-daughter Isabella and her parents; longtime friends Arcee “Pete” James and Renzie Taylor, dear mother-in-law “Rozzie”, son-in-law Jamal Tillman, and daughter-in-law Donna Bush; aunts, uncles and a multitude of cousins, friends and family from many different communities and networks. He was preceded in death by one dearly loved daughter Sojourner Truth Bush (Cynthia Arnetta Holliday).
Roderick Douglas Bush 
Rod became my big brother, mentor, close friend and comrade.
Rod, was never a friend, mentor or educator. He was always more than that. Rod was family. Thank you for always being there, for being a friend, and for all your wisdom. We love you lots.
Romero Family
Dear Melanie and to all who knew and loved Rod,
I am so sorry to hear of his Rod’s passing — I hadn’t been on Facebook for a long time and hadn’t heard. What a terrible loss — my thoughts are with you.
Love,
Betty
For those of us who’ve known Rod since our adolescent years in Rochester, N.Y.; this is a gift and a prayer provided by his soulmate/partner, Dr. Melanie Bush and their family. I still can’t believe he has transitioned and I miss his “being”.
While viewing the photos, videos & tributes; I couldn’t help but feel the extraordinary love shared by so many for this revolutionary, professor, author and great humanitarian. What Rod treasured more than all the acclaim was his wife, offspring, close relatives and the best instincts of humanity.
Bountiful blessings to all.
Dr. Bush was one of my favorite professors at St. John’s University. Although him and I constantly would have arguments about topics that would last majority of class time, our conversations helped me to truly understand social constructs and societal racism. I am thankful for him and his gift that he gave to the students of St. John’s University.
Dear Melanie,
You are in my thoughts and prayers at this critical moment in your life.
Virginia Sanchez Korrol
Bette, Alejo and I mourn the passing and celebrate the quietly extraordinary life of Rod Bush — friend, teacher, father of Sari, lover of Melanie, Black liberation thinker and activist
In order to truly honor Rod Bush, we have to continue the work he started. We have to commit our time to build networks of activists who will launch out into the various communities to mobilize and organize. Rod’s life was all about Development with Liberation and Transformation.
Rod is not just a man just like Melanie is not just a woman a lot will be said, a lot will be felt on his passing, by me and many others. It is impossible to mention him without mentioning his wife. I can only say to God that you for making such a man, may you make more like. Amen
As we travel the difficult road ahead, let us find strength and courage by remembering the legacy of Rod.
Sleep Inn & Suites Downtown Jackson, MS. lifts you up in prayers.
Professor Bush was one of the best educators at St. John’s University. He welcomed open discussion of controversial issues, while encouraging us to be modern thinkers in today’s ever changing political and socio-economic arenas. God Bless his family.
Melanie, I received the e-mail regarding the publication of “Rod Bush: Lessons from a Radical Black Scholar on Liberation, Love, and Justice”. What a tribute to a well-lived life of a scholar, humanitarian, teacher, comrade, friend and family man. I know he would be so proud of this scholarly endeavor by you and fellow academics as well as the outreach to the public for knowledge is empowering. I’ve requested the book at the Nashville Public Library and shared it on my Viewpoints newsletter. You and Rod’s publications line the shelves of my personal library and I’m so proud to add this one. Take care and yes…Power to the People!
Professor Bush was the type of friend, mentor and educator that comes around once in a lifetime. He was my professor at Seton Hall in 1993-1994. He always had time to engage in discussions about the nature of power, race, economics and politics. To this day, I vividly recall his lectures and personal discussions. When I became a teacher myself, he generously volunteered to visit my classroom as a guest lecturer. His life continues in me.