By Julia O’Rourke
“Angela Davis must go free,” Franklin said. “Black people will be free. I’ve been locked up (for disturbing the peace in Detroit) and I know you got to disturb the peace when you can’t get no peace. Jail is hell to be in. I’m going to see her free if there is any justice in our courts, not because I believe in communism, but because she’s a Black woman and she wants freedom for Black people. I have the money; I got it from Black people — they’ve made me financially able to have it — and I want to use it in ways that will help our people.”
Aretha Franklin was an American singer, songwriter, pianist, and civil rights activist. Growing up in a Baptist Church in Detroit Michigan wasn’t easy. Her dad was a minister at their church. Even though he was a minister he didn’t treat her mother very kindly. At the age of 18, she started her music career with Columbia Records. With her father as a civil rights activist and her music career growing fast, she used her fame and knowledge to also speak about racial equality. Franklin’s hit song “Respect” was used as an anthem for racial and gendered political movements. Using her talents to advocate equality was something she was amazing at. In 1968, Aretha Franklin sang “Take My Hand, Precious Lord” at Martin Luther King Jr’s funeral. Just like King, she was an inspiration to many.
Being a black woman in the 50’s and 60’s wasn’t any easy thing. Aretha Franklin broke boundaries and created an inspiring life for others to look up to. I believe Aretha Franklin is an important person to acknowledge during Black History Month because of her amazing spirit and inspiring goals. It’s important to have an African American women in the 50’s as a role model. She overcame discrimination from her skin color and her gender. She used her talents to make change in the world.
A strong example of Franklins commitment to the civil rights movement was when she offered to post bail for Angela Davis. Angela Davis was a revolutionary activist and scholar who was accused of assisting in a courtroom takeover which ended in four deaths. “Angela Davis must go free,” Franklin said. “Black people will be free. I’ve been locked up (for disturbing the peace in Detroit) and I know you got to disturb the peace when you can’t get no peace. Jail is hell to be in. I’m going to see her free if there is any justice in our courts, not because I believe in communism, but because she’s a Black woman and she wants freedom for Black people. I have the money; I got it from Black people — they’ve made me financially able to have it — and I want to use it in ways that will help our people.”
Her selfless acts to the movement shows how serious she took equality. Aretha Franklin wasn’t just a woman with a good voice. She had things to say and wanted to help. I believe she is a very important person to learn about during Black History Month.