Alan Wiggins: Renaissance Man
30 years after the death of my father, I would like to redefine his identity and reshape his purpose for the new decade.
What is a Renaissance Man?
“Renaissance man, also called Universal Man, Italian Uomo Universale, an ideal that developed in Renaissance Italy from the notion expressed by one of its most-accomplished representatives, Leon Battista Alberti (1404–72), that “a man can do all things if he will.” The ideal embodied the basic tenets of Renaissance humanism, which considered man the centre of the universe, limitless in his capacities for development, and led to the notion that men should try to embrace all knowledge and develop their own capacities as fully as possible.”
What made Alan Wiggins a Renaissance man?
In my humble opinion, what made my father a quintessential Renaissance man was his intelligence in relation to the ignorance that resisted his IQ. He was well read, and in his knowledge he held the power to obtain a greater truth about his impact on the world. Sports gave him an outlet and a way to express this intellect, but he would’ve been well served in countless other avenues concluding his sports career if his life wasn’t cut so tragically short from AIDS in 1991.
He was young he was gifted he was proud to be black
He was talent like no other with a ball and a bat
Does His Tragic Flaw Change His Narrative as a Renaissance Man?
Death cannot take down a true Renaissance Man.
In my opinion, the answer to this question is no.
In fact, my father’s flaws only persuade me to see him as even more of a Renaissance Man: one that could intuitively foresee the problems of the time in which he was living and still make his life more meaningful and impactful. Speaking to those who knew and loved him, I have heard him described countlessly as a rare visionary, a radically minded philosopher, and a straight up “gangster”.
Unfortunately for him and his world, the only label that seemed to stick with Alan Wiggins, even in his tragic death, was “drug addict”.
However, his battle was not only with drugs, as was widely promoted in the media, but what he battled secretly was a quiet, cautious form of racism that surrounded him. With his own words, this racism is something he couldn’t express in his short life, and to respect his honor I will not carry the burdens for which he died. I can safely say that I understand his difficult plight in a way that makes me more comfortable communicating to an open audience.
In a modern day “information age” context, what made my father the one and true Renaissance man first and foremost was his commitment to being a faithful family man.
He took care of his commitments to his marriage in a way that I both admire and desire for myself.
Perseverance + Endurance
My mother and father’s high school prom picture.
The most important aspect of his life story is that despite his tragic circumstances, he endured and persevered. In his perseverance he provided our family with a wealth that we can still enjoy 30 years after he was buried. This wealth is not nearly classified from a financial standpoint, but as a wealth of an enduring spirit for the patient fight against injustice, something we all as a nation seek at this time in history.
Time has healed me of any bitterness in connection to the injustices that are profound in my father’s life, and I would recommend those who feel oppression from a society that treats its citizens as unequal to allow significant time to pass before making sharp assessments against human nature. There must be a experiential maturity that takes place before any true insight can be obtained. This is where you can find and ultimately use truth in a limitless power.
How to Become a Modern Renaissance Man in 2021?
This is the challenge that the Information Age most presents to all of us. This blog was meant to share and showcase my personal heritage and why I am not ashamed, but rather proud of who I am because of the genes that I share with the great Renaissance Man Alan Wiggins. In this new 21st century age, I believe everyone can achieve exactly what they want from life. These notes shouldn’t make anyone feel less included in this great plight of self-discovery that we all endure. There are fundamental concepts that will advance those who are seeking this inner identity (concepts that don’t necessarily apply to one gender). If you are curious, read more insight on what helps one on their way to becoming a “Modern Renaissance Man”.
Four time All-American, WNBA Champion, Edutainer and Coach