History ● Conjectures ● Insights
Amazing grace knows how to burst the bubble of controlling and abusive persons. Through amazing grace, persons who have been oppressed and violated by abusive partners may suddenly realize they can live without the toxicity dished out to them by the partners. For some inexplicable reason, these abusive partners assume that their abusive grip can never be broken but that’s not true. Aretha’s partner, Ted…
Because of amazing grace, persons requiring an important piece to some kind of jigsaw puzzle or a challenging situation, may suddenly find that piece without any elaborate or particular effort of theirs. The piece may simply be handed to them through a serendipity situation. For Aretha, the ‘spark’ from an Otis Redding Song (which ‘enabled’ the RESPECT song) was another gift of amazing grace.
Because of amazing grace, persons who once lacked consistent emotional support and understanding from close family members, may suddenly experience a turnaround from these family members and these persons may go on to give more than was expected. Aretha’s sisters, Carolyn and Erma who became her backup were definitely a gift of grace.
Because of amazing grace, persons who have been consistently disappointed, may find pleasant surprises coming from the most unexpected of places. For Aretha, the family was out on a walk one evening, when her son heard her voice coming out of a speaker on the sidewalk. It was her first hit song. It was a pleasant surprise for her and the family. And coming only…
Because of amazing grace, persons who have failed many times at a particular venture, may enter a new relationship that would lead them to the place of success. For Aretha, her producer did not know what else to do after producing nine albums without a single hit song. He didn’t see any point in continuing with Aretha. It wasn’t long after this episode that she…
Any discussion about the Metallic man and the now Metallic Network, especially the reasons that necessitated the recent change of name, ought to acknowledge some elements that remain constant in the former and current identities. Some of these elements include luster, hardness and resonance. The combination is a fascinating one, having attributes of gentleness/softness and hardness at the same time with one side complementing the…
Because of amazing grace, persons who deserve to be punished severely because they were warned of the consequences of their actions, may yet be forgiven, reconciled and restored when they return home. Aretha’s father threatened her that when things turned bad for her because he was certain they would, considering her defiance of his instructions, she ‘would beg him to take her back but he…
Because of amazing grace, persons who are misunderstood and disrespected as they navigate the depths to which they have been forced by wicked and heartless souls, may yet keep their cool and maintain their dignity. Aretha’s father didn’t know why she locked herself up in her room when the darkness descended and the demon took over (he had no clues she was still suffering the…
Because of amazing grace, children who lose either of their parents still have a chance a to have a great life. Despite the brokenness and attendant disruption such a situation brings. When Aretha fell silent following the sad passing of her mother and would not speak to anyone, she FOUND sense in the melody from James’s play on the piano.
Because of amazing grace, victims of rape have a chance to have a great life. Even if there is the added complication of a pregnancy. And the unsettling fact that the victim is even a child. Aretha Franklin’s story gives hope to the countless, nameless victims of sexual abuse especially little, innocent girls that abound in our world today. The morning after she was first…