By Tiffany James Soul ties Soul touch Soul praise Soul in the midst of us Where we stand. Where we give life Where we give...
By Nettrice Gaskins When Aretha sang, the birds, though they sang sweetly, hushed of their own accord. On August 31, the world witnessed a Celebration...
By Lyvonne “Proverbs” Picou The great elder ancestor Lucille Clifton wrote, “come celebrate with me that everyday something has tried to kill me and has...
By Maisha I. K. Handy I wonder if she knew. As she spun “Respect” on repeat time and time again, living vicariously through your voice. Longing...
By The Reverend Raedorah C. Stewart ©2018 On the occasion of her passing the baton to eternal womanhood Miss. Aretha. Franklin. ……….My southern sensibilities always put...
By Melanie C. Jones I first heard your voice. An indelible voice that needs no introduction. A voice that had the ability to sustain social...
By Rev. Lacette Cross So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. – John 8:36 (NRSV) “It ain’t necessarily so It...
By Marshata Caradine-Randall ARETHA lived, birthed, aborted, sang, played, gave ARETHA denied, forbade, led, taught, learned, was ARETHA chang’d, heal’d, mold’d, creat’d, reveal’d, contrl’d ARETHA...
By Esther A. Armah I think the Ancestors call her ‘Queen Re Re’. This voice. Unsaid words and sounds that erupted, sometimes emerged, soothing, or...
By Idrissa Simmonds There is a generation of Black girls born at a time when our mothers spoke the name Aretha in the house with...
By Crystal deGregory She was ours. So many of us called her simply, “Aretha.” For so long, there was only one person so singularly associated...
By Frances Gaillard Parker In 1970, I considered myself a “supporter” of The Soledad Brothers and Angela Davis. I entered high school in the fall...
A little over a week ago, after sitting through seven-plus hours of Black Church homegoing bliss fit for a queen, many of us sat in utter...