Etta v. Obama: Why He Just Doesn’t Get It

By Cheryl Blue

Chicago Sun-Times columnist Bill Zwecker recently reported that President and Mrs. Obama were “stunned” by music legend Etta James’ negative remarks concerning singer Beyonce Knowles' performance of “At Last” at the Obamas’ first inaugural ball dance.

“It never crossed anyone’s mind that there was anything inappropriate about Beyonce singing that song,” admitted a White House insider on Thursday, February 6th.

Really? It is understandable that it would not have occurred to the twenty-something neophytes who populate Obama's staff, but no one, not even the Obamas themselves, had a passing thought to invite Ms. James to perform her signature song? How could the first black President fail to see the larger historical significance of replacing Ms. James with Beyonce?

Because Ms. James’ salty criticism was leveled not only at Beyonce but also at the President, Obama supporters have made much of the fact that Ms. James neither wrote, nor was first to record, “At Last,” thereby suggesting that it wasn’t really her song. Talk about adding insult to injury.

Yes, the song was written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren and first recorded by Ray Eberle and Pat Friday. To that I respectfully reply, “so what?” Ms. James’ 1961 rendition achieved a level of artistry that left an indelible mark on the American musical landscape and resulted in her 1999 induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame. It is undisputed fact that “At Last” is Ms. James’ signature song, so it is disingenuous to attempt to explain the failure to extend an invitation to her by claiming that it's “not really her song.”

The inaugural planners clearly had zero knowledge of, and regard for, the contributions of rank and file black Americans whose sacrifices paved the way for Mr. Obama’s unlikely, yet historic, success. Since he garnered that success by appealing to broad-based white support, he, like other democratic politicians before him, simply took for granted that blacks would offer blind support. Sadly, he was (and is) correct. Even sadder is his apparent lack of understanding of the history of struggle of black Americans. But why should he understand that which is alien to him?

Obama’s life experience has been about as black as that of Richard Simmons. Raised in a comfortable, white middle-class home by his comfortable, white middle-class grandparents, he never listened to stories of racism, humiliation and degradation; never had to look into the wistful eyes of a black grandparent who told melancholy tales of unfair firings, of working a full week then only being paid for three days, of searching for apartments and having whites peek through curtains and mouth the lie that the apartment was “already rented;” never listened to black elders recount how their own talents were co-opted by less talented whites who reaped the financial rewards.

If he had heard such stories and seen the look of anger and despair in a loved one's eyes, perhaps Mr. Obama would have understood why Ms. James might be deeply wounded by the slight.

As a 71-year-old black woman, Etta James suffered through the kind of unvarnished racism and bigotry that today can only be imagined. The music industry offers a very clear picture of the kind of marginalization that so many blacks experienced.

In the 1950s, as Elvis proved that rock and roll’s appeal could be limitless, black R&B artists on small labels began to see their hits “covered,” or re-recorded, by white artists at major labels. As rock critic Ed Ward has noted, white labels recognized they could simply co-opt the R&B hits and “whiten them up.” With more money and greater access to influential white radio stations and DJs, the major labels had the power to limit the earning power of black artists.

The best example of such inequity was the success of Pat Boone who, during the
1950s, was second only to Elvis Presley in Top 40 hits. He had his first #1 hit by simply “covering” (some would say “stealing”) Fats Domino’s “Ain’t That A Shame.” Boone’s version went to #1, while Domino’s original -- today a classic -- only made it to #10. Boone realized he had found the path to easy money, and simply continued to take the hits black artists (including Little Richard) created and make them his own. When a white artist’s cover was a hit, it naturally slowed the progress and earning potential of the black original.

No, Beyonce is not white, but the analogy remains apt. The legacy of black artists, who brought power and authenticity to the art form, being usurped by tinny-voiced imitators whose success was due more to mass market appeal than to talent is, sadly, also evident here. Ms. Knowles, in reliance on her physical beauty and by virtue of having been born at an opportune time, has achieved a measure of success that far exceeds any musical talent she has evidenced to date. Having her perform Ms. James' song was a slap in the face of the living legend.

James and her peers fought to be recognized as they watched less talented white singers reap unjust acclaim. How can anyone fail to recognize the level of resentment such unfairness would breed? But those blacks simply had to swallow the unfairness, the insults –- as did blacks in all walks of life, not merely entertainment -- because they had no recourse. They were undeniably second class citizens in the country of their birth.

For that generation, the notion of living to see a black man elected President was unfathomable. So is it really so surprising that Ms. James would want to play a role in the historic event that she never dreamed she would live to see -- especially since her music was included?

For elderly blacks, “At Last” has a far deeper meaning than could ever be understood by a Beyonce, a Jay Z, or any of the minstrel-inspired rappers who, with asses literally exposed, were invited to the festivities. For the elderly citizens who in their prime were denied simple, human dignity, the song title means: at last, one of our own has risen to the highest height; at last, we hold the premier position of honor in the world; at last -- respect. That Mr. Obama fails to fully understand this is sad, but not surprising. It is entirely in keeping with the self-absorbed, preening, privileged politician he has always shown himself to be.

©2009 www.conservativeblackpundit.com - Not to be reprinted absent express permission of copyright owner.