Marian Anderson was an Afro-American singer counted among the best contraltos of the 20th century. She was born in an economically modest family and had to go through various hardships as a child. She aspired to become a musician and was a self-taught singer. She was a part of the church choir and with the help of the pastor of her church and a few other people, she attended music class under a renowned teacher. She was rejected by the ‘Philadelphia Music Academy’ due to her color but she went on to train under a couple of other legendary musicians backed by her local black community. This helped her win a popular singing competition and that came as a major breakthrough in her career. She then moved to Europe after performing at various renowned places in New York. There she further sharpened her singing skills to become a well-known singer globally. Her fame and popularity were immensely magnified when she was invited by the then US President Roosevelt and the First Lady to perform at the White House. She was the first Afro-American to be given such an honor. Her work, thoughts and life made her a prominent figure in the struggle for the black artists where she worked towards vanquishing the racial bigotry in the United States in the mid-twentieth century. Take a look at the thoughts and quotes by Marian Anderson which reflects her perseverant and optimistic approach towards life.
Everyone has a gift for something, even if it is the gift of being a good friend.
Marian Anderson
I suppose I might insist on making issues of things. But that is not my nature, and I always bear in mind that my mission is to leave behind me the kind of impression that will make it easier for those who follow.
A singer starts by having his instrument as a gift from God... When you have been given something in a moment of grace, it is sacrilegious to be greedy.
There are many persons ready to do what is right because in their hearts they know it is right. But they hesitate, waiting for the other fellow to make the make the first move - and he, in turn, waits for you.
When I sing, I don't want them to see that my face is black. I don't want them to see that my face is white. I want them to see my soul. And that is colorless.
Prejudice: Sometimes it's like a hair across your cheek. You can't see it, you can't find it with your fingers, but you keep brushing at it because the feel of it is irritating.
Sometimes you're overwhelmed when a thing comes, and you do not realize the magnitude of the affair at that moment. When you get away from it, you wonder, did it really happen to you.
Sometimes racial prejudice is like a hair across your cheek. You can't see it, you can't find it with your fingers, but you keep brushing it because the feel of it is irritating.
