I’ve been reeling at the loss of our Queen, Aretha Franklin. She was a true gem for our lifetime. Her influence spans generations. With almost 7 decades of musical contributions; I don’t think we can ever say enough about how integral her talent and gift was to the world. She is the Queen for many reasons. But she is the Queen of Soul because she totally and fully embodies the idea, the concept, the meaning of soul.
I recently wrote about the importance of honoring our ancestors. At the passing of Ms. Franklin, I find it important to honor the soul & spirit of this precious vessel. It’s as if her voice was a touch of the divine each time we heard her. So in honor of this influential ancestor, I’ve been playing her music on repeat, and swimming in the melodic, soul-filled hugs of her timbre. I felt like I had a truly spiritual encounter with every song. But more than that, I am learning so much more about what people share with us while they live. Be it consciously or unconsciously, we leave something here. And without further ado, here are 5 things that the Queen of Soul has taught us about love and feminism:
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Aretha taught us about Respect- Yes, I had to start here. Because this song became an anthem for so many including the Civil Rights Movement and the Women’s Rights movement. As a black feminist, this song speaks volumes to me. And yes, I know that it is a remake of Otis Redding’s “Respect”. I am well aware. But that’s just it. This song took on new life when Aretha sang it. Why? Because she was a black woman! She represented two forces at once that was literally “dying” for some respect. And the soulfulness of her voice was no longer asking. It was demanding to respect me. - Aretha taught us the gift of Privacy- In this society, privacy is something we don’t hold dear. We willfully give it away to our plethora of apps and member savings cards. Oh, and we can’t forget how we readily give it away to social media, all in the name of “followers”. Aretha Franklin was known for her level of privacy. She didn’t need to let the world know her every move, love, thought, etc. And I think this is what gives a Queen their reigning aura. It’s important to keep some things close to you and those you deem special. On a serious note though, I cannot WAIT for this biopic of her life (haven’t heard about one, just praying that there will be one). There is so much I want to know!
- Aretha taught us Independence- In “Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves”, Franklin joined Annie Lennox (The Eurythmics) to make another feminist call. I love how the Eurythmics brought intersectionality into the art. Intersectionality in feminism is still MUCH needed if the “feminist” ideal wants to survive (IMO). We were reminded that we have been, can, and will continue to do the things we need to do for ourselves. Our strength lies in being women, despite the idea that being a woman is a weakness.
Aretha taught us about persevering through Challenges- Franklin, although private, had no problems sharing some of her ups and downs of life. She actually used those struggles to evoke such a sense of passion and soul in her music. In “A Rose is Still a Rose”, she laments to young women, “…girl love yourself enough to know, that without him your life goes on.” A powerful statement of moving forward despite the challenges of life.- Aretha taught us about Confidence- Aretha Franklin is a household name. There is no doubt that she will live on through her music, her influence, her fans, and new generations for years to come. The thing that makes a status like this possible is the confidence to be yourself. What Aretha Franklin brought to the music industry defied what the music industry was used to. At her time, “black music” was confined to Rhythm & Blues or Gospel. But her ability to remain true to her gospel roots as she explored ALL forms of music, is the ultimate driving force of the soul genre we enjoy today. I am sure it was difficult bringing this “new concept” to the mainstream, but she did it. And she remained true to herself every step of the way. That takes confidence.
How were you influenced by the Queen of Soul? What’s your favorite quote or song from Aretha Franklin? Leave a comment below. We will celebrate her together. Let’s continue the conversation on social media using #Arethataughtme.
