Odetta Holmes: a voice for civil rights, the March on Washington

[Source for featured photo]

We live in an age of political demonstration, both warranted and unwarranted.

Politicians spew rhetoric and hold rallies left and right, but what change do they really create?

March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (1963) [Source]

Today marks the 55th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, one of the largest rallies for human rights in U.S. history; a demonstration that effectively caused the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1963) [Source]

Some of the things most remembered about the rally are the sheer number of people who attended and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech.

However, some might forget the part that music and entertainment played on that historic day.

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Most will know about some of the major musical names involved with the march, names like Bob Dylan, Joan Baez or Mahalia Jackson, but most may not know enough about Odetta Holmes, another performer at the march. She’s was called the Voice of the Civil Rights Movement in her Rolling Stone’s obituary.

Odetta Holmes (1961) [Source]

Although she was born in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1930, Odetta grew up in Los Angeles.

While she began her career in musical theater, she focused on folksinging during the 1950s and 1960s. It’s said that Dr. King called her the Queen of American Folk Music.

At the march she sang “I’m On My Way,” a traditional gospel song, and “Oh Freedom.”

Odetta had a full career up until her death in 2008, and now we remember her with videos, pictures and her extensive catalogue of music. One of her best albums is Odetta Sings Ballads and Blues, an album Bob Dylan pointed to as one of his favorites from her.

Speaking of Dylan, Odetta made an entire album of Dylan cover songs on Odetta Sings Dylan. With tracks like “Don’t Think Twice It’s All Right,” “The Times They are a Changin,'” and “Blowin’ in the Wind,” Odetta shows just how powerful her voice is. Anyone should be able to pick out Dylan’s signature songs from the crowd, especially when his most popular ones are concerned, but Odetta somehow does them all differently.

Odetta (1968) [Source]

Take “Masters of War,” for instance. When Dylan sings it, it’s a song. It’s a classic song, sure, but still just a song.

When Odetta sings it, it’s a message:

You’ve thrown the worst fear
That could ever be hurled
The fear to bring children
Into this world
For threatening my baby
Unborn and unnamed
You ain’t worth the blood that runs through your veins

We believe her lines because she sings with such honesty that believing is the only option.

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This is the reason we must continue to remember Odetta’s impact on folk music. There is no other option. We live in a time of political unrest where racism is alive and well. But, this writer believes, with musicians like Odetta, we are still reminded of the humanity of others and compelled to live compassionately.

Listen to Odetta’s performance at the march here. Then listen to her entire catalogue. Now.