![]() Whenever I hear people singing Stevie's version of "Happy Birthday," I'm reminded of that day and those tears. I'm really not sure how I was able to resolve my feelings, but I was always able to adjust and adapt and make my way among all people, despite race or any other differences. Louis, I just wanted friends more than I wanted to hate. Or perhaps being one of very few black people at the time in the Ladue school district in St. Perhaps at a young age I realized quickly that Jody and Karen had nothing to do with the assassination of MLK. Until recess when it was time to play with Jody and Karen. And the next day, I went to school filled with hate. It is probably one of the saddest moments in my life. My mom explained, "they killed him." When I asked who "they" were, she told me, "White people killed him because they didn't like what he was trying to do for black people and for the country." I didn't know what that meant, so I asked for more of an explanation. ![]() This particular year, as we were twirling around singing the song, I asked, "Where is Martin Luther King now, Mother?" My mom would pick me up and dance with me in her arms. ![]() But in the Smith household, there were always two constants on Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday: no one went to school or work, and the record player had Stevie Wonder's "Hotter Than July" album blaring, with me going over to replay "Happy Birthday" again and again. And by the time I was in first grade, I was used to a very meaningful tradition in my family.Īt this point in time, MLK Day was not yet recognized as a national holiday. My brother and I knew about Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and Louis Farrakhan, even. Generations just copying tradition without knowing the origin. It wasn't until I asked a group of our student-athletes here at Cal (who were more "woke" than most) if they knew who the song was intended for, that I understood the disconnect. We'll appease people and sing the traditional version all the way through, then immediately bust out in the more enthusiastic rendition Stevie released in 1980.įor a long time, I thought every black person knew the meaning behind the song. Hitting the stage Marvin Sapp, Monie Love, Doug E.The Stevie Wonder version of "Happy Birthday" is very popular in the Black community. Cool J, Pharell Williams, Tamela Mann, and David Mann. Stating that this is the “biggest show yet” and is set to celebrate the icons of the culture! This year’s honorees include Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Bobby Brown, L. The holiday was first observed in 1986 and is now observed every third Monday in January.īeing a national holiday, most people will have some time that evening after observing the holiday during the day, and Miss Hughes wants to remind everyone about TV One’s Urban Honors. ![]() Įventually, President Ronald Reagan signed the bill into law establishing the national holiday. And I’m sure you would agree, It couldn’t fit more perfectly Than to have a world party on the day you came to be.Īs the Grammy-award-winning singer sings in the bridge, “ Why has there never been a holiday/Where peace is celebrated/All throughout the world” that was the biggest question: Isn’t it time to have a holiday to honor a man who fought for the civil rights of Black people and many others across the world? You know it doesn’t make much sense, There ought to be a law against, Anyone who takes offense, At a day in your celebration, Cause we all know in our minds, That there ought to be a time, That we can set aside, To show just how much we love you. and a campaign for the establishment of a national holiday in honor of the civil rights icon.” One of the realities is our obligation to teach our history to our children and our youth.”Īccording to NewsOne, “In 1981, Stevie Wonder wrote the song “Happy Birthday” as a tribute to Dr. “Everyone sings the Stevie Wonder version of happy,” says Miss H, “The reality is that most people don’t know the lyrics. Black Tony Serenaded by Xscape’s Tamika Scott: ‘You Should’ve Came to Work’.Cathy Hughes Represents For Urban One On Variety’s “50 Greatest Hip-Hop Executives” List.Urban One Founder Cathy Hughes Lands On “50 Greatest Hip-Hop Executives” List. ![]()
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