Music, Movement and Mortality: Odetta a Real American Idol
Today I mourn the lost of one of my most favorite singers and musical idols Odetta. For all of you that don't know who Odetta is, I would like to introduce you to a real American Idol. She was born in the South in the state of Alabama and grew up mostly in Los Angeles. She spent many years studying classical music but became known all over the world for performing folk music. The musical genre that she sometimes referred to as the people's music. Odetta's low and rich voice resonates through the soul. In the New York Times today they said her music was the soundtrack for the Civil Rights movement. In this world where racism, sexism and classism have been some of the most dividing vices used to keep people apart she used her gift of music to strategically address these oppressions and bring people together. She used her powerful and rich voice to stand strong and sing from the bottom of soul the cries of the people and for these reasons she will never be forgotten.
Some of my most fondest memories from childhood with my family include me singing Odetta in front of our old school console tv/record player combo with the disco lights. We would perform for hours doing what I now know is called Karaoke. My siblings and cousins would often fight over who was going to be Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross or Gladys Knight. This was never my fight, I wanted to be Odetta. Little did I know that later I would be blessed to sing some of these same songs all over.
As I sit here mourning the lost of one of the people I see as being a real American Idol, I only pray that we as the new generation of young leaders will honor the memories of those who paved the way for us. We must not let our people be forgotten. We must not let our people's songs and stories be lost in mist of the madness. We must use our power as cultural activist to stand strong and speak truth. I thank the Divine for Odetta and I thank Odetta for singing and playing for the people. May we continue to sing her songs and the songs of the people. I pray that the Divine bless all those who took care of her in life and that they be comforted in knowing that there are those that will continue on her Divine assignment. Ashe... Ashe.... Ashe
http://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/arts/20081203_odetta.html?hp
Some of my most fondest memories from childhood with my family include me singing Odetta in front of our old school console tv/record player combo with the disco lights. We would perform for hours doing what I now know is called Karaoke. My siblings and cousins would often fight over who was going to be Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross or Gladys Knight. This was never my fight, I wanted to be Odetta. Little did I know that later I would be blessed to sing some of these same songs all over.
As I sit here mourning the lost of one of the people I see as being a real American Idol, I only pray that we as the new generation of young leaders will honor the memories of those who paved the way for us. We must not let our people be forgotten. We must not let our people's songs and stories be lost in mist of the madness. We must use our power as cultural activist to stand strong and speak truth. I thank the Divine for Odetta and I thank Odetta for singing and playing for the people. May we continue to sing her songs and the songs of the people. I pray that the Divine bless all those who took care of her in life and that they be comforted in knowing that there are those that will continue on her Divine assignment. Ashe... Ashe.... Ashe
http://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/arts/20081203_odetta.html?hp
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The mission of The Gathering is to build an Intergenerational, movement, rooted in history, cultures and non-violent direct action to heal communities, build collective strength and generate an environment of hope and opportunity.
Civil rights and social justice organizations have come to understand that collective action on a national basis is required to stop child incarceration and challenge the immoral process which perpetuates an unjust justice system. These groups are working under extremely difficult circumstances and many of them with little or no resources. The Gathering is a national movement that creates a coordinated space to 1) fortify relationships between regional groups, 2) support local endeavors and 3) enhance the ongoing organizing of non-violent direct action training. Central to its mission is strengthening our moral environment.
- “a project of tides center” -
"The Gathering" is a project of Tides Center 501c3
Civil rights and social justice organizations have come to understand that collective action on a national basis is required to stop child incarceration and challenge the immoral process which perpetuates an unjust justice system. These groups are working under extremely difficult circumstances and many of them with little or no resources. The Gathering is a national movement that creates a coordinated space to 1) fortify relationships between regional groups, 2) support local endeavors and 3) enhance the ongoing organizing of non-violent direct action training. Central to its mission is strengthening our moral environment.
- “a project of tides center” -
"The Gathering" is a project of Tides Center 501c3
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