Tag: aretha franklin

As black women, our very existence is political. It’s time for us — whether we’re in politics or not — to take the decision-making into our own hands. It’s time for us — and we mean all of us, whether we’re in politics or not — to take the decision-making into our own hands. As Leah often tells her congregation, “Sitting in church all day won’t make you a Christian any more than sitting in a garage will make you a car.” First, let’s remember our history. It’s time for women of color to take positions of power within political parties that have been denied to us. It was in that tradition that we came together for the Power Rising Summit. Use your power to help other women rise Third, use your power wisely to help others. To those women who are through the door and at the table, we say “Congratulations, you’ve made it! How have you made the path easier for another sister? We are committed to victory for our Sister Candidates.

In contrast, aside from the commemoration of the dead, Americans mostly have seen funerals as solemn reminders of how frail and transitory life is for all of us, and how our shared fates should unite even the bitterest of enemies. Mr. Wellstone’s Minnesota funeral was meant to be a commemoration of a life of public servant well lived. Mr. McCain and President Trump were hardly friends. In not-so-veiled allusions, daughter Meghan McCain received loud applause for blasting Mr. Trump, as if she had delivered a partisan campaign speech: “We gather here to mourn the passing of American greatness, the real thing, not cheap rhetoric from men who will never come near the sacrifice he gave so willingly, nor the opportunistic appropriation of those who live lives of comfort and privilege while he suffered and served.” Former President Barack Obama used his time similarly to reference Mr. Trump, with similar not so subtle attacks, “Much of our politics can seem small and mean and petty. He contrasted Mr. McCain with Mr. Trump’s policies on illegal immigration and the summit with Vladimir Putin, “[McCain] respected the dignity inherent in every life, a dignity that does not stop at borders and cannot be erased by dictators.” Once a funeral is turned into politics, then politics takes on a life of its own. Why are funerals of celebrities and politicians turning into extended and televised political rallies? Partly, the volatile Donald Trump and his frantic political and media critics are locked in a crude, no-holds-barred war against each other — waged everywhere nonstop. Partly, everything in America has become politicized. Not even the dead escape it. Politicizing funerals will not end well.

Al Sharpton sharply criticized President Donald Trump while speaking at Aretha Franklin's funeral in Detroit, saying Franklin never took orders from anyone except God.

President Bill Clinton spoke at Aretha Franklin's funeral in Detroit, saying that she lived with courage, with faith and with power. "I just loved her," he added.

At Aretha Franklin's funeral service, former President Bill Clinton remembers the last time he saw Aretha Franklin perform. » Subscribe to MSNBC: http://on.msnbc.com/SubscribeTomsnbc About: MSNBC is the premier destination for in-depth analysis of daily headlines, insightful political commentary and informed…

At Aretha Franklin's funeral service, Rev. Al Sharpton comments on Trump's reaction to her death. He later reads a letter from former President Obama. » Subscribe to MSNBC: http://on.msnbc.com/SubscribeTomsnbc About: MSNBC is the premier destination for in-depth analysis of daily…

Entertainment, sports and political powerhouses gather in Detroit to honor the 'Queen of Soul'; Laura Ingle reports from outside Greater Grace Temple. FOX News Channel (FNC) is a 24-hour all-encompassing news service dedicated to delivering breaking news as well as…

Don Lemon and stars Gladys Knight and Smokey Robinson remember the late, great "Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin.

Carole King, who co-wrote Franklin's hit "Natural Woman," and Rev. Al, who was one of her dearest friends, share their memories of the Queen of Soul. » Subscribe to MSNBC: http://on.msnbc.com/SubscribeTomsnbc About: MSNBC is the premier destination for in-depth analysis…

Former CNN anchor Larry King talks about Aretha Franklin and describes one of his interviews with the legendary singer.