Marian Anderson’s magnificent contralto voice, as with her gentle commitment to freedom for all, couldn’t be suppressed.

Internationally acclaimed opera singer, Marian Anderson, Philly native, was asked to perform in DC around Easter-time 1939. The preferred venue was Constitution Hall, owned by DAR, Daughters of the American Revolution, who had a strict whites-only policy regarding audience members as well as performers. They said no, which brought instant public pushback including the prompt resignation from DAR by their member First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.

Alternative arrangements were made to have Ms. Anderson perform from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial at 5 pm on April 9, 1039, Easter afternoon. 75,000 people gathered to hear her sing for just under half an hour. Estimates are that 3.9 million others heard by way of broadcasts.

With the majestic event and the glorious singing of Ms. Anderson, of course, her introduction by Secretary of the Interior Harold Ickes too was remarkable. I have transcribed it here from online audio sources.

Miss Anderson, distinguished guests, ladies, and gentlemen, in this great auditorium under the sky all of us are free. When God gave us this wonderful outdoors and the sun, the moon, and the stars, he made no distinction of race or creed or color. And one-hundred and thirty years ago he sent to us one of his truly greats in order that he might restore freedom to those from whom we had disregardfully taken it. In carrying out this great task Abraham Lincoln laid down his life. And so it is as appropriate as it is fortunate that today we stand reverently and humbly at the base of this memorial to the great emancipator where glorious tribute is rendered to his memory by a daughter of the race from which he struck the chains of slavery.

Facing us down the mall beyond the Washington Monument, which we have erected as a symbol of the towering stature and fame of him who founded this republic, there is rising a memorial to that other great democrat in our short history, Thomas Jefferson, who proclaimed that principal and equality of opportunity, which Abraham Lincoln believed in so impressively* and took so seriously. In our own time, too many pay mere lip service to these twin planets in our democratic heaven. There are those even in this great capital of our democratic republic who are either too timid or too indifferent to lift up the light that Jefferson and Lincoln carried along.

Genius like justice is blind for genius with the tip of her wing has touched this woman who, if it had not been for the great mind of Jefferson, had not been for the heart of Lincoln, would not be able to stand among us today a free individual in a free land. Genius, genius draws no color line. She has endowed Marian Anderson with such a voice as lifts any individual above his fellows as is a matter of exultant pride to any race.

And so it is fitting that Marian Anderson should raise her voice in tribute to the noble Lincoln whom mankind will ever honor. We are grateful to Mar, Miss Marion Anderson for coming here to sing to us today.

* I am not certain that this is the word Secretary Ickes used as I am unable to hear it with precision.

She was accompanied by Finish pianist and composer, Kosti Vehanen, an internationally acclaimed musician in his own right. They performed:

• My Country ‘Tis of Thee.
• “O mio Fernando,” from La favorite by Gaetano Donizetti.
• Ave Maria by Franz Schubert
• Spirituals: Gospel Train, Trampin’, and My Soul Is Anchored in the Lord.
• Encore: Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen.

One of her hearers was ten-year-old Martin Luther King Jr. who would credit Ms. Anderson and her music that day with ongoing inspiration to work tirelessly for freedom.

No wonder Trump and his white trash lackeys want to deface this doubly-sacred spot.

image borrowed