Thank you Martin

It's MLK day so I figured I would try to reflect on that particular topic. The fact is that, tomorrow morning, Barack Obama will become the first African-American president. Whatever side of the metaphorical political fence you fall on, it's a big deal. 

Given the current horribleness that is our country right now that is the result of our failing economy, war, and so forth, I wish him the very best. 

I thought I would provide a little music that mirrored the reason you didn't go into the office today.  Music has played an interesting little role in race relations in the US. I think Motown's history is particularly interesting. 

So back in the day (circa 1959), Berry Gordy snuck a loan of $800 from family and friends to start the first ever record label owned and ran by a black man. Always the innovator and without an apparent talent in naming things, Gordy named his label as a tribute to its location - "Mo" and "town" being a combination of "Motor town" or, for those who don't know where the automobile came from - Detroit. Motown left Detroit for the sunny skies and gridlock of Los Angeles in 1972.  Motown was eventually bought out by Universal and relocated to the grey skies and Sabarro'd NYC where it currently finds itself. 

The 1950's, apparently, were a tumultuous time in our short history. Who knew right? In fact, Jim Crow Laws (which mandated the false dichotomy of "separate but equal") were still in effect until the mid 60's. Initially, Gordy steer his artists away from the race "issue," but after MLK rose to prominence, it was unavoidable. Motown stepped onto the civil rights scene by the release of Stevie Wonder's "Down to Earth"  album (1966) and Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On", followed shortly the number one single by the Supremes "Love Child."  In fact, Diana Ross gave one of King's many eulogies. 

A particularly poignant and brilliant song from a young Stevie Wonder of off the "Down to Earth" release is "A place in the sun."

Friends that have their ear to the ground on this stuff tell me that The Shadows of Motown and Only the Strong Survive are pretty powerful documentaries on the history of Motown. They are on my list - whatever that means. 

The civil rights movement also was the birthplace of many American folksongs that crossed racial boundaries. The oft-cited example is Bob Dylan's "Blowing in the Wind."

Dylan's song surprised a lot of black artists who described their astonishment at how a young white artist could accurately capture the plight of the African-American community (see wiki-goodness).

In more modern times, Rage Against the Machine's "Wake Up" actually quotes MLK ("How long? Not long, because what you reap, is what you sew"). Although more closely associated with Malcom X, Rage often cited the teachings of MLK as lyrical inspiration. Thoughtfully, Rage has provided all of us you with a little civil rights history book-esque song. My brother thoughtfully reminded me "Renegades of Funk" is actually a cover of Afrika Bambaataa's song with the same name. He is good for something I suppose. 

I hope everyone enjoys the day - even if just for a day off. At a minimum, everyone has a homework assignment to check out "Soundtrack for a Revolution."

It is an amazing documentary. 

Out.