Political Quotes

“today I rise to lift up three extraordinary people who have contributed much the Civil Rights Era: Martin Luther King, Jr., John Coltrane and Nelson Mandela. Dr. King was very much aware of the cultural impact of jazz on the civil rights struggle. He talked while he was in Berlin, Germany about how music is such a great unifying force, in particular jazz, that connects people and enhances cultural development of society. King went on to discuss how jazz evolved from the black churches gospel songs and hymns into a popular art form that has wide appeal across racial and ethnic lines. Coltrane was instrumental in insuring jazz's distinction as a National American treasure. Coltrane once said, ``My goal . . . is to uplift people as much as I can, to inspire them to realize capacities for living meaningful lives.'' Through his boundless music, he like King and Mandela helped to break down the walls of prejudice and intolerance in our nation. Because of Coltrane, jazz has become the music that America is known for around the world. Jazz has such cultural significance that it crosses racial, ethnic, socio-economic, and geographic boundaries. The importance of music cannot be understated in the struggle for African-Americans in this country to gain rights of equality and fair treatment. Coltrane's musical genius acted to soothe the wounds after the harsh, brutal fight, acted as healing salve to bring both black and white, red and brown peoples together.”