Entertainment Perspective: After Six Decades Of The Queen
After Six Decades Of The Queen
We should say “a little prayer” for our beloved soul Aretha Franklin. A woman of colour who made the human race proud as she showcased her vast talent as a songwriter, performer and vocalist extraordinaire.
Colour
For someone of colour to have broken the “colour barrier” so to speak in racist America at that time in fifties and sixties is scoff at and to have sat at the pinnacle of her craft speaks volumes of the exceptional skills and talents of Queen Aretha Franklin.
Vine
I heard a preacher Bishop Dr. V. T. Williams, of the Jamaica Evangelical Association say that “good wine comes from great vines and great fruit comes from sound root” This view uniquely capsilates Queen Aretha Franklin’s life. She owes a lot to her parents, but most of all her father, a renowned preacher. He moulded her from an early age and in her own words “gave me voice training”.
Illustrious Career
Queen Aretha, although raped at 12 became a mom at a tender age, she never allowed this normally devastating experience to stop her from rising to the top of her game. Aretha turned adversity into opportunity. A truly remarkable life lesson indeed.
As we mourn her loss, yet we celebrate her vast achievements.
We show homage to her vast legacy and deservedly deep respect to her vocal excellence.
Rest in peace Queen Aretha Franklin. May light perpetual shine on her.
Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is Senior International Correspondent & Photojournalist for Vision Newspaper.