Like many of you, music has been a big part of my life in both my childhood and adulthood. I have fond memories of listening to the sweet sounds coming from my grandmother’s record player. Music has always allowed me to express my emotions and sentiments.
During tough times, it was music that permitted me a chance to escape from the difficulties of life. Music has brought much happiness and peace into my life. Many of my father’s side of the family could sing or play an instrument, but unfortunately, I was not blessed with the gift of either.
Growing up in the era of Motown, I came to appreciate the talents of Diana Ross, the Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, the Four Tops and of course, the Jackson 5. But, one of my favorite singers was Marvin Gaye. Not only was he talented, but he was also very conscious.
If he was alive today and was witnessing the crime, violence, hate, police brutality and racial injustice in our society, he would once again ask what is going on? In 1971, Marvin Gaye released a protest song, that soon became a national anthem titled, “What’s Going On.” It was a powerful and groundbreaking song at the time. Some have stated that it is the most influential recording in modern musical history.
During the last few weeks, we have seen three football players from the University of Virginia senselessly murdered, four students at the University of Idaho were discovered in their shared off-campus home dead, a 22-year-old gunman entered an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs and killed five people while injuring 25 others, and now Walmart is not even safe.
There are hate crimes still being done towards not only Black people, but also Jewish and Asian people. Let us not forget that there is still a war in Ukraine. The stirring lyrics of Marvin Gaye’s song are as relevant today as they were over a half-century ago.
“Mother, mother there’s too many of you crying. Brother, brother, brother, there’s far too many of you dying. You know we’ve got to find a way to bring some lovin’ here today. Father, father, we don’t need to escalate. You see, war is not the answer for only love can conquer hate.”
The final verse says, “Picket lines and picket signs, don’t punish me with brutality. C’mon talk to me so you can see what’s going on, yeah, what’s going on, tell me what’s going on.” I am a true believer that love can conquer hate if we are willing to give it a try.
If we do not figure out soon “What’s Going On” when it comes to mass murder, child abuse, domestic violence, bullying, police misconduct, suicide, gun violence, and international conflict, it is safe to say that the end time is coming sooner than any of us desire. One of the saddest national statistics is that homicide is the leading cause of death among young Black men and contributes significantly to the shortened lifespan of the Black male.
In about 80-90% of the cases, the Black victim was killed by another Black individual, and about 52% of the murder victims were acquainted with their assailant. Young Black males represent 2% of the U.S. population, but accounted for about 38% of the gun homicide deaths last year.
Black homicide rates are seven to eight times those of whites. What is going on with Black community violence? Our community is in dreadful need of meaningful and sustainable homicide prevention centers with programs of prevention, research and treatment.
America, what is going on? Black communities, what is going on? God and love are the answer. Not hate.
Healing Without Hate: It’s a choice. It’s a lifestyle. Pass it on.
Visit www.WendyGladney.com and www.forgivingforliving.org to learn more. Wendy is a life strategist, coach, consultant, author, and speaker.
