Have Some Respect
The news of the passing of iconic musician Aretha Franklin, the “Queen of Soul,” and a key figure in the civil-rights movement, leaves a big hole in my psyche. Franklin was so much a part of my own adolescence and personal belief system. Today, her most well-known song, “Respect,” has more significance than many of us may care to acknowledge. My observation over my six decades is that in all walks of life, and in all cultures, there tends to be a lot less respect for others.
In addition to reminding us of the importance of respect, Franklin, as an activist, was someone who truly defined the American experience — her joy, pain, and enthusiasm reverberated in each of her songs. She also creatively and gently tapped into the darkness and the light that we all face on a regular basis.
Some years ago, I was blessed to attend an Aretha Franklin concert at the Santa Barbara Bowl, and by far, it was one of the best concerts I’d ever attended. Not only did her lyrics seem to resonate with everyone there, but her spirit and joie de vivre was contagious. Within no time, she had the entire audience dancing in their seats. In passing, she referred to her illness, without making it her cause. She did say that it might be her last concert, but none of us wanted to believe her. She seemed immortal in so many of our eyes.
