R-E-S-P-E-C-T, Find out What It Means to Be ….

American in Trump’s Era with the Death of Aretha Franklin

Respect, just a little bit
And find out I'm gone (just a little bit)

It’s as though Aretha Franklin knew her tunes would play out the way her life did. She was a single mother in a time where raising boys by herself was frowned upon.  She also took to singing the blues when she had been raised in the Church and was a recipient for condemnation because of that. Even though her father supported her, the community did not.  Whatever intent was in her heart, only God knew. Money, power and status was an issue for those trying to come out of a slave cycle.

The struggle of being black and of being a strong woman in the church who has seen much harm inflicted on herself and those around her is only something that she experienced.  She lived the civil rights movement in her music and developed a connection to people that were around her and with God in her gospel tunes. That is why she will forever be known as the Queen of Soul.

Aretha did not leave behind a will and became a part of the 7 out of 10 people who do not plan their estate, knowing that she wanted to be eternal.   All of that aside, she also had one of the most talked about funerals for a long time.

The backdrop of the current American political landscape was already divided, but she sought to unite peoples on a front.  Aretha’s funeral brought everyone together. This was even mentioned by one of the guests. They all outta leave and go and vote right after the event was the sentiment at the time. Aretha would be disrespected if you did not register to vote.  Then, slowly, events started to turn towards the DISRESPECT.

President Trump did not attend either funeral of two hailed American icons, nor was he invited. His Presidency was criticized knowing that he was not invited there with reason.

Ariana Grande’s performance and dress is what some have classified as a sign of disrespect.  Her dress is what many Aunties in the church rated as not being appropriate for venue. Not the best performance, but Aretha wanted the "God is a Woman" singer to be there.   The tweets and memes started to trend with talk of the size of her ponytail in comparison to the length of the dress. She later gained the sympathies of people when a Bishop made derogatory comments about her background or name sounding like an item from a Taco Bell, menu; then he proceeded towards the questionable touching of her.  The gaze of Bill Clinton during her performance has been circulated across the internet as well. A twitter storm followed, this time using the #respectAriana.

Others questioned Obama’s lack of presence as a disrespect.  He was present at a white Senator’s funeral whose running mate was Sarah Palin, but not for the woman who sang at his inauguration. To the some in the black community, for him to say she uplifted the masses was not enough.

Another Pastor talked about the need to respect each other, but then went on to talk about how the black community disrespects each other and that change was required in order for a faction to change.  He should have stopped it there. The speech continued to a point of including commentary that was disrespectful. Another prominent Minister of the Nation of Islam was not even even given the chance to speak.  His seating placement was so far to the left that the awkward body language was noticeable. Aretha did feature on this month's cover of the “Final Call” magazine and also helped save a mosque from being harmed.  Again, the disrespect that was given to him.

One thing became apparent.  The division. The media circus ensued.  It came back to haunt and the coverage received was more negative than the one present at Senator McCain’s, where his daughter stood before the podium and talked of America’s greatness and where one of the only circulation of photos includes the ex-President Bush handing candy to Michelle Obama. The stark contrast of the white man was sitting next to a black woman, handing her candy. To some, it looks like an adult handing a child candy as bait. To others, a nice gesture.  We all know that giving respect earns respect.

Why are we seeing two different versions of America?                
               
America, I Say a Little Prayer for You

(in my Aretha voice)