CNN did a documentary on one of Marvin Gaye’s iconic songs last weekend – he had three blockbuster songs which transcended age, gender and race. It was the only protest song – if you could call it that - of the three. The other two, ‘Let’s Get It On’ and ‘Sexual Healing’ were love songs.
If called upon, an overwhelming majority of Americans would likely recognize their country’s national anthem.
Not really by choice as the sluggish and stagnant tune of “The Star-Spangled Banner” is programmed into our brains through class assemblies and professional sports games before we even realize what its words represent.
In spite of this, there have been more than a few iconic renditions of this ballad. Whitney Houston unsurprisingly belted a powerful version at Super Bowl XXV in 1991. Luther Vandross, Jennifer Hudson and even Fergie (though she’s more known for messing it up) have tackled the nation’s musical symbol.
MTSU Black History VIRTUAL Unity Meeting 6PM Thursday Feb 08, 2021 at 03:00 pm by WGNS
(L-R top) Sue Alexander, Violet Cox-Wingo, George Gibson (bottom) Christa Martin, Kim Sokoya
(MURFREESBORO) For the 25th consecutive year, a stellar group of unsung heroes is slated to be honored at MTSU’s 2021 Unity Celebration, held virtually this year as part of the university’s annual Black History Month activities.
In this year’s renamed online recognition that substitutes for the annual on-campus Unity Luncheon due to COVID-19, the five honorees will be applauded during a special online broadcast beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, on the university’s Facebook and YouTube channels. The ceremony can be accessed at http://facebook.com/ mtsublueraiders and http://youtube.com/mtsunews, respectively.