The Beauty and Courage of Marian Anderson

Yesterday was the 75th anniversary of Marian Anderson's historic concern at The Lincoln Monument.  The story itself is truly moving, and a terrific example of courageous people coming together to do the right thing.   It's always been one of my favorite historical events, and every time I see footage of Marian standing in front of that bank of microphones before thousands of people, I'm struck by how regal, how graceful, and how brave she is and feel what I imagine to be a fraction of what it was like to witness that moment.

 

 

And yet, as important as this moment is, I feel like individual attention should be paid to Marian and her voice, because they stand on their own as worthy of awe.   The spiritual "Deep River" is one of many stirring performances...