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#Tags Motown Marvin Gaye ; Motown wasn’t really known for its politically conscious music. Then came “What’s Going On.” Released on May 21, 1971, at the height of the Vietnam War, Marvin Gaye’s album became a monster, spawning three hit singles on its way to becoming Motown’s best-selling album to date. The album also marked a turning point for Motown and for Marvin Gaye as an artist. As a scholar of race and culture in the U.S. and the host of the weekly radio show “Soul Stories,” I am struck by how many of the themes Gaye explores remain as relevant today as they were when he first wrote about them 50 years ago.

Gaye’s evolution

Some of the songs on the album speak directly to the state of the world in the early 1970s. The title track, with its timeless lyric “war is not the answer, for only love can conquer hate,” condemned the nation’s involvement in Vietnam. But the song provides an insight into the evolution of Gaye’s music to encompass overtly political themes. “What’s Going On” contrasts with his earlier work from the Vietnam War era that presents a different perspective. For example, “Soldier’s Plea,” the first single from Gaye’s second album, “That Stubborn Kinda Fellow” in 1962, offers a decidedly romantic view of war: While I’m away, darling how often do you think of me? Remember, I’m over here, fighting to keep us free Just be my little girl and always be true And I’ll be a faithful soldier boy to you “Soldier’s Plea” fits neatly into Motown’s early business model. Both Berry Gordy – who founded Tamla Records in 1959 and then incorporated it as the Motown Record Co. a year later – and the songwriters he brought in mostly avoided political content. Motown singers such as Mary Wells, The Supremes and The Temptations were to be, as the label liked to say, the “Sound of Young America,” not political activists. Gordy told Time magazine in 2020, “I never wanted Motown to be a mouthpiece for civil rights.” While song lyrics did not explicitly mention the ongoing civil rights protests emerging across the nation in the 1960s, Motown didn’t entirely ignore racial politics. The label released the spoken-word album “The Great March to Freedom” on the same day as the March on Washington – Aug. 28, 1963. The release commemorated the Walk to Freedom, a Detroit mass march from earlier that summer, and featured a speech by Martin Luther King Jr. Motown also created the Black Forum label, which released other political speeches by King, such as his 1967 “Why I Oppose the War in Vietnam,” and Stokely Carmichael’s song “Free Huey!” pleading for the release of fellow Black Power leader Huey Newton in 1970. The label also released albums of poetry by Amiri Baraka, Elaine Brown, Langston Hughes and Margaret Danner. By and large, though, early releases on the Motown label were restricted to the apolitical. But the world had changed by 1971. The freedom struggle had taken a more radical turn with the emergence of the Black Power movement, the Chicano Movement, the Young Lords and the American Indian Movement. The first Earth Day, April 22, 1970, focused attention on the emerging U.S. environmental movement. Meanwhile, anti-war activists protested the draft, escalating violence, and the sight of body bags returning from Vietnam. The U.S. musical soundscape shifted alongside these political, social and economic transformations. Art and politics merged through 1969’s Woodstock festival. Meanwhile, Black Power-driven messages started to emanate from the soul and gospel music distributed by the Stax label in Memphis and a host of other musicians who offered searing critiques of U.S. imperialism such as Nina Simone, Curtis Mayfield and Gil Scott-Heron.

Hollering love across the nation

Alongside this political shift came internal pressure in Motown to give artists more agency over their own output. As Motown performers matured artistically, some felt stifled by Gordy’s model and demanded more artistic control. Gaye produced “What’s Going On” himself – a revolutionary act at Motown. The result is a painfully beautiful protest album from first track to last. The opening lines of the album are sung softly, yet urgently: “Mother, mother, there’s far too many of you crying/ Brother, brother, brother, there’s far too many of you dying.” Lyrics grapple with the effects of the war on families and the lives of young men sent overseas. The next song follows one of those young men home to a nation grappling with an unemployment rate of 6%. “Can’t find no work, can’t find no job, my friend,” Gaye laments on “What’s Happening Brother.” The album’s final track conveys frustration: “Makes me wanna holler how they do my life … this ain’t living, this ain’t living.” In between, we have everything from an exploration of faith to the environmentalist anthem “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)” concluding with the refrain “How much more abuse from man can she stand?” Yet “What’s Going On” expresses hope. Gaye repeats the affirmation “right on” – a phrase distinctly grounded in black urban vernacular – throughout the album and on a song bearing that name. We first hear this phrase on the title track, “What’s Going On.” Gaye affirms “Right on, brother” to men who respond in kind at different points in the song. The call and response communicates a sense of shared concern, shared struggle, and shared redemption – an ethos Gaye took from the gospel tradition that informs his musicality. This call and response is repeated in “Wholy Holy,” with Gaye utilizing a multitracking technique to layer two versions of his own vocals: We can conquer (yes we can) hate forever (oh Lord) Wholy (wholy holy, wholy holy) We can rock the world’s foundation Everybody together, together in wholy (wholy holy) We’ll holler love, love, love across the nation

Still a hit

Gordy was initially reluctant to embrace Gaye’s new direction. But Motown could not ignore the album’s success. The title track reached the top spot on Billboard’s R&B chart and peaked at No. 2 on the Hot 100. The album remained on the charts for 58 weeks. Gaye’s classic album still resonates with audiences on its 50th anniversary. The environmental messages of “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)” are just as germane today as 1971, as are the powerful statements on race, war and poverty on other tracks. As someone who teaches courses on the history of music in the United States, I’ve noticed that most of my students immediately recognize songs from “What’s Going On” – an album released decades before they were born. In a nation where people continue to protest white supremacy, endless wars, environmental damage, police brutality and poverty, “What’s Going On” remains as relevant as ever. 'What's Going On' at 50 – Marvin Gaye Motown classic is as relevant today as it was in 1971-Author:

California could end most of its mask mandates on June 15, coinciding with the state’s near-full reopening. Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state would still provide guidance for indoor businesses and events, but would not require them if vaccination numbers remain high and case rates remain low. Mask mandates- video

HYPHENED-NATION IS CALL TO ACTION TO ELIMINATE AMERICA’S ETHNIC HYPHEN AND BRING RETURN TO UNITY AS AMERICANS Nicole Draffen’s HYPHENED-NATION is a Page-Turner of Equalization Proportions, Making Solid Character Study of a Nation Culturally Divided Between its People and Ethnic Hyphens–Draffen’s Book and Movement is Call for Action and Change Join the ‘Don’t Check the Box’ Movement  Poised to advance the end of a hyphenated America, HYPHENED-NATION:DON’T CHECK THE BOX/HYPHENATION CREATES SEPARATION, the book by Nicole Draffen, is on course to end the days of ethnic labeling: Latino-American, African-American, Asian-American, and so on, as part of the author’s movement, DON’T CHECK THE BOX; in an all-out effort to soon close the gap on this hyphened separation and citizen classification. The change Draffen wants to bring forward is one of awakening with hopes that, “One day a hyphenated American will be just a term used in history books because at some point, in maintaining a vision of unity, the hyphen will and should be history. ”HYPHENED-NATION™, the book and the movement, was inspired by founder/author, Draffen, during her travels where she spent time living abroad in the U.K. The author shares her insights while living there as she experienced being treated as solely an American, rather than as a hyphenated one. “It was an eye-opener to discover the social and cultural consciousness when traveling abroad,” says Draffen. “Living in London I was assumed to be British, until I actually spoke, and then I was viewed as simply an American. Period. Not an African-American, not a Black-American, not a mixed-race American, or a 'what are you American?' in London. As to the Brits, I was simply viewed as an American. It was truly exhilarating to be viewed so differently, to not be ethnically categorized ,as has otherwise been my entire life experience in the U.S. I felt free and proud to think, yes, I am simply an American.” Draffen’s experience abroad, thousands of miles away from home, served as an eye opener and a catalyst for taking this heartened perspective further. The difference was so startling it led heron a journey toward understanding why the U.S. is one of the only, if not the only country, that hyphenates its citizens by ethnicity before nationality. “The realization that I lived in a Hyphened-Nation only became evident to me after I traveled overseas and experienced this awakening of my true self, one that I never realized had been suppressed.”

Some may be able to relate to Draffen’s vital mission and ongoing call-out: “The whole notion of hyphenated-Americans, even the reflection of how this ethnic separation comes across, actually takes away from our fuller potential, and public perception, as individuals with the equal ability to create an impact and make a difference in our economic, educational, societal and cultural growth. Perhaps many of us can relate, but the conversation has not quite been opened up. Until now." As further expressed in her book, America’s ‘hyphened-nation’ is truly minimizing to one’s standing in the nation: The hyphenation of your nationality minimizes your standing in the nation. The hyphen might as well act as a minus sign. Both are represented by the same symbol, and have the same consequences. Just as a minus ‘takes away’ a numerical value, its counterpart hyphen lessens the value of your nationality. Draffen firmly believes, “Being categorized as a Hyphenated-American goes against the very foundation of what our country was built upon. ”And yet, “It was former President Theodore Roosevelt who said, ‘A hyphenated American is not an American at all.’”Draffen offers solutions pertaining to how all American people can proactively choose to lose the hyphen, and once and for all truly stand in unity as a unified nation; representing ‘We the People.’ The movement of HYPHENED-NATION is to essentially eliminate the hyphen for everyone’s sake. Leading the way, Draffen continues her hard-pressed objective to not only address, but eradicate, this issue of ethnic separation. Why does America hyphenate Americans? Most can think of the infamous box they have been asked to check their entire life on a variety of documents or applications, where each person is asked to ‘check the box’ in terms of their ethnicity and racial background. DON’T CHECK THE BOX The same box that does more classifying than unifying. Follow the ‘Hyphened-Nation’ call to action and don’t check the box pertaining to ethnicity or race. No one ever said it was mandatory.

Through Draffen’s movement, it is her hope to bridge the gap and return to unity, “So that one day every American will view one another who live in America, as simply an American.” No hyphens attached. No separation based on race, creed or religion. Americans standing in unity as simply, Americans. Read the book and join the movement. Draffen’s HYPHENED-NATION is a call to action, a jumping off point from where the U.S. and Europe differ culturally via media, and how a bridge might be created. “I hope this book inspires you to join the movement,” continues the author. “May this book be a catalyst for positive change. Your relatable stories and insights will help to light everyone's path toward a brighter and more unified future. ”According to the book, there is no doubt that hyphenation creates separation and many problems for individuals placed in ethnic categories. Fast-forward, HYPHENED-NATION is on a mission to change all that. We walk among hyphened Americans every day. Isn't it about time we unite as the people of this nation? Through her book and movement, HYPHENED-NATION, Draffen has created a call to action for Americans to actively choose and realize that each citizen has the ability to ‘lose the hyphen.’ Draffen encourages, “Americans can take a significant unified leap forward in ending racial separation and stereotypes created as a result of a Hyphened-Nation. This can end now. Draffen poses the question, “Shouldn’t it be about the American vote?” Not the vote of a certain sector, or capturing the votes of this race or that race, or gender for that matter? ”In her effort to unify citizens as Americans even more, “It should be about the American vote. Americans need to lose the hyphen. We don’t need any more division caused by the hyphen. It moves us away from unity, not toward it".

Several movements have been formed advocating for equality among different minority groups. HYPHENED-NATION is one of the few social movements fighting for equality for all ethnic minorities in America. Launched since2016, support for the movement has continued to grow rapidly. To date, Draffen’s organization has more than 8,329 followers on their Instagram page; plus 5,226 Twitter followers. Its members are encouraged to ‘not check the box’ on applications that ask for their ethnicity, as well as to wear a unique message-centric wristband, and contact their state representative to support the end of ethnic minorities from being miscategorized as ‘Hyphenated Americans.’ Draffen has facilitated a template on her website, www.Hyphened-Nation.com, which is a letter that people can send accordingly to their state representatives encouraging much of the same; advocating for simply, yes, and ‘not checking the box.’ Readers praising HYPHENED-NATION describe it as “insightful perceptive,” “a true eye opener,” and as “a breath of fresh air. ”WOW!! This book was definitely an ‘eye-opening’ experience. For further details and/or to join the movement, visit: www.Hyphened-Nation.com.The author invites the general public to become involved by following her call to action, as further illustrated on her website. Draffen also encourages anyone wanting to help spread the message to contact her through her site or on social media to become part of the HYPHENED-NATION team. HYPHENED-NATION: DON’T CHECK THE BOX/HYPHENATION CREATES SEPARATION is available on Amazon in both paperback ($11.48) and in Kindle format ($3.99). Imagine, one day when America’s children will ask the question, “What is a Hyphenated American?” The response will be, “That’s how Americans used to categorize themselves.”

HYPHENED-NATION IS CALL TO ACTION TO ELIMINATE AMERICA’S ETHNIC HYPHEN AND BRING RETURN TO UNITY AS AMERICANS Nicole Draffen’s HYPHENED-NATION is a Page-Turner of Equalization Proportions, Making Solid Character Study of a Nation Culturally Divided Between its People and Ethnic Hyphens–Draffen’s Book and Movement is Call for Action and Change Join the ‘Don’t Check the Box’ Movement  Poised to advance the end of a hyphenated America, HYPHENED-NATION:DON’T CHECK THE BOX/HYPHENATION CREATES SEPARATION, the book by Nicole Draffen, is on course to end the days of ethnic labeling: Latino-American, African-American, Asian-American, and so on, as part of the author’s movement, DON’T CHECK THE BOX; in an all-out effort to soon close the gap on this hyphened separation and citizen classification. The change Draffen wants to bring forward is one of awakening with hopes that, “One day a hyphenated American will be just a term used in history books because at some point, in maintaining a vision of unity, the hyphen will and should be history. ”HYPHENED-NATION™, the book and the movement, was inspired by founder/author, Draffen, during her travels where she spent time living abroad in the U.K. The author shares her insights while living there as she experienced being treated as solely an American, rather than as a hyphenated one. “It was an eye-opener to discover the social and cultural consciousness when traveling abroad,” says Draffen. “Living in London I was assumed to be British, until I actually spoke, and then I was viewed as simply an American. Period. Not an African-American, not a Black-American, not a mixed-race American, or a 'what are you American?' in London. As to the Brits, I was simply viewed as an American. It was truly exhilarating to be viewed so differently, to not be ethnically categorized ,as has otherwise been my entire life experience in the U.S. I felt free and proud to think, yes, I am simply an American.” Draffen’s experience abroad, thousands of miles away from home, served as an eye opener and a catalyst for taking this heartened perspective further. The difference was so startling it led heron a journey toward understanding why the U.S. is one of the only, if not the only country, that hyphenates its citizens by ethnicity before nationality. “The realization that I lived in a Hyphened-Nation only became evident to me after I traveled overseas and experienced this awakening of my true self, one that I never realized had been suppressed.”

Some may be able to relate to Draffen’s vital mission and ongoing call-out: “The whole notion of hyphenated-Americans, even the reflection of how this ethnic separation comes across, actually takes away from our fuller potential, and public perception, as individuals with the equal ability to create an impact and make a difference in our economic, educational, societal and cultural growth. Perhaps many of us can relate, but the conversation has not quite been opened up. Until now." As further expressed in her book, America’s ‘hyphened-nation’ is truly minimizing to one’s standing in the nation: The hyphenation of your nationality minimizes your standing in the nation. The hyphen might as well act as a minus sign. Both are represented by the same symbol, and have the same consequences. Just as a minus ‘takes away’ a numerical value, its counterpart hyphen lessens the value of your nationality. Draffen firmly believes, “Being categorized as a Hyphenated-American goes against the very foundation of what our country was built upon. ”And yet, “It was former President Theodore Roosevelt who said, ‘A hyphenated American is not an American at all.’”Draffen offers solutions pertaining to how all American people can proactively choose to lose the hyphen, and once and for all truly stand in unity as a unified nation; representing ‘We the People.’ The movement of HYPHENED-NATION is to essentially eliminate the hyphen for everyone’s sake. Leading the way, Draffen continues her hard-pressed objective to not only address, but eradicate, this issue of ethnic separation. Why does America hyphenate Americans? Most can think of the infamous box they have been asked to check their entire life on a variety of documents or applications, where each person is asked to ‘check the box’ in terms of their ethnicity and racial background. DON’T CHECK THE BOX The same box that does more classifying than unifying. Follow the ‘Hyphened-Nation’ call to action and don’t check the box pertaining to ethnicity or race. No one ever said it was mandatory.

Through Draffen’s movement, it is her hope to bridge the gap and return to unity, “So that one day every American will view one another who live in America, as simply an American.” No hyphens attached. No separation based on race, creed or religion. Americans standing in unity as simply, Americans. Read the book and join the movement. Draffen’s HYPHENED-NATION is a call to action, a jumping off point from where the U.S. and Europe differ culturally via media, and how a bridge might be created. “I hope this book inspires you to join the movement,” continues the author. “May this book be a catalyst for positive change. Your relatable stories and insights will help to light everyone's path toward a brighter and more unified future. ”According to the book, there is no doubt that hyphenation creates separation and many problems for individuals placed in ethnic categories. Fast-forward, HYPHENED-NATION is on a mission to change all that. We walk among hyphened Americans every day. Isn't it about time we unite as the people of this nation? Through her book and movement, HYPHENED-NATION, Draffen has created a call to action for Americans to actively choose and realize that each citizen has the ability to ‘lose the hyphen.’ Draffen encourages, “Americans can take a significant unified leap forward in ending racial separation and stereotypes created as a result of a Hyphened-Nation. This can end now. Draffen poses the question, “Shouldn’t it be about the American vote?” Not the vote of a certain sector, or capturing the votes of this race or that race, or gender for that matter? ”In her effort to unify citizens as Americans even more, “It should be about the American vote. Americans need to lose the hyphen. We don’t need any more division caused by the hyphen. It moves us away from unity, not toward it".

Several movements have been formed advocating for equality among different minority groups. HYPHENED-NATION is one of the few social movements fighting for equality for all ethnic minorities in America. Launched since2016, support for the movement has continued to grow rapidly. To date, Draffen’s organization has more than 8,329 followers on their Instagram page; plus 5,226 Twitter followers. Its members are encouraged to ‘not check the box’ on applications that ask for their ethnicity, as well as to wear a unique message-centric wristband, and contact their state representative to support the end of ethnic minorities from being miscategorized as ‘Hyphenated Americans.’ Draffen has facilitated a template on her website, www.Hyphened-Nation.com, which is a letter that people can send accordingly to their state representatives encouraging much of the same; advocating for simply, yes, and ‘not checking the box.’ Readers praising HYPHENED-NATION describe it as “insightful perceptive,” “a true eye opener,” and as “a breath of fresh air. ”WOW!! This book was definitely an ‘eye-opening’ experience. For further details and/or to join the movement, visit: www.Hyphened-Nation.com.The author invites the general public to become involved by following her call to action, as further illustrated on her website. Draffen also encourages anyone wanting to help spread the message to contact her through her site or on social media to become part of the HYPHENED-NATION team. HYPHENED-NATION: DON’T CHECK THE BOX/HYPHENATION CREATES SEPARATION is available on Amazon in both paperback ($11.48) and in Kindle format ($3.99). Imagine, one day when America’s children will ask the question, “What is a Hyphenated American?” The response will be, “That’s how Americans used to categorize themselves.”