Nina Simone

I don't know if I could ever adequately describe all the things that make this song the magnificent work of art that it is, but something occurred to me listening to it this morning, and I think to a certain extent it's true of all great black art in America. I believe that the song belongs to, sings to, humanity on three levels: to all of humanity, to black people specifically, and most of all to any child whose true being has been hurt by the weight of history. It is heartbreaking to notice what must be a common experience for black girls and boys in their childhood: to belong to a society that in big ways and small tries to make you feel that you are somehow unworthy of care. Nina Simone gave the world something incredible and special, a dignity rooted in humility and love that belongs to anyone who needs it, but might have been lost were it not shared through her music. The possibility of true, private, unassailable happiness is something that should be offered to every child. In this sense, as a person with a soul in need of such help, I am so grateful.




I do believe that great power can be drawn from this simple gift of self-esteem. Once empowered a person can be capable of having a great voice in the world and can hold those responsible accountable for the damage they've done and to say "enough" to the abuse of any more children by a racist society.




And it doesn't hurt that she was so glamorous, intellectual, and beautiful.