The Queen of Soul and The Dixie Chicks

R-E-S-P-E-C-T!


In 1968 fellow Detroiter, Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin spelled out these letters in the song that became a feminist anthem for American women. Even though the seven-lettered word is loaded with multiple meanings, everybody wants it. Rodney "I don't get no respect!!!" Dangerfield wanted it. The rich buy it, the powerful force it, and the religiously anointed threaten punishment and doom to secure it in perpetuity.

Authority demands respect! Kings, conquerors, dictators, popes, prime ministers, politicians, pastors, rabbis, imans, judges, and all levels of bureaucrats demand respect. Husbands have tried to beat it into wives, parents have attempted to beat it into children and armies march it, bomb it, shoot it, and kill it into enemies and civilians alike.

Costumes have been devised to insure respect. Decorated uniforms, golden crowns, badges, wigs of significance, long flowing robes, and designer suits have been accessorized with scepters, medallions, riding crops, and dark glasses. Respect has even been required by, confined to, and bestowed upon persons with lighter skin colors.

Respect is viewed by some as an entitlement. It is not. Attempts to enforce regard and reverence result not in respect, but in obedience and compliance. RESPECT is and always has been EARNED. It is only after respect has been earned that it can be given. That the fanny of George W. Bush occupies a chair in the Oval Office does not entitle "his heinie" to anyone's respect. George W. has done nothing to merit respect and is devoid of any character traits that would inspire it.

The Dixie Chicks have EARNED my respect and the respect of thousands of Americans who value straight forward honesty, courage, and the freedom of speech. More than half of the citizens in this country are not only "ashamed" of the current president, they are angry and sickened by him, his policies, and his damn atrocity-ridden war. We the People are "Not Ready to Make Nice". We'll make nice when Bush and Cheney are impeached and Rumsfeld is tried for war crimes.

BRAVO to Detroit's diva Aretha who sang it out in 1968. BRAVO to the true blue Dixie Chicks from Texas who are putting it into harmony today. BRAVO ladies for speaking out and not backing down! Thank you Aretha for giving us the song that helped American women stand up for themselves. Thank you Natalie, Emily, and Martie for publically speaking against Bush and the war when the rest of us were denied a voice. Thank all of you for exemplifying the best of womankind.

Yesterday, I ordered ordered the Dixie Chicks newly released CD, "Taking the Long Way" from Amazon where it is currently available for $9.98 - a very good price!

Visit the Dixie Chicks Web site here.
Order the CD from Amazon here.
Click here to visit The Queen of Soul's official website and preview Aretha's new release, "So Damn Happy".

R-E-S-P-E-C-T What a Concept!
.......Kitchen Window Woman.......