Aretha Franklin was born and came into fame during the era of segregation, and she went on to sing at Barack Obama’s inauguration. She used her talent and platform to inspire millions and fight for equality. Franklin was a confidante of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and helped to fund the organization he co-founded, the Southern Christian Leadership conference.
Franklin learned this commitment to civil rights partially through her father, the Rev. C.L. Franklin, who preached social justice at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan. Franklin recorded her song “Respect” in 1967, while black Americans had already won legislation that outlawed segregation and protected voting rights.
“Her songs were the songs of the movement, R-E-S-P-E-C-T… Thats basically what we wanted. The movement was all about respect.”
Source: https://atlantablackstar.com/2018/08/17/queen-of-soul-leaves-a-powerful-civil-rights-legacy/
