The Voice
That Challenged
A Nation-
Marian Anderson
and the
Struggle for
Equal Rights
by
Russell Freedman
Summary
The story of the famous opera singer, Marian Anderson, is chronicled from the time she was a child growing up in Philadelphia to her death in 1993. The defining moment of her career was on Easter of 1939 when she sang on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to a crowd of 75,000 after being denied a venue at Constitution Hall by the Daughters of the American Revolution, who would only allow white performers to rent the space. Marian did not set out to be a civil rights champion, but her voice and determination opened doors for many other African Americans.
My Thoughts
I had a vague recollection of the name Marian Anderson, but I really couldn't have said for sure who she was. I read a lot of historical non-fiction, so I'm embarrassed to admit that I didn't know her story. She was a remarkable woman, but I was glad to read also about her doubts and fears about her singing abilities. When she received less than stellar reviews for her first big New York concert, Marian was crushed and gave up on her singing career, at least for many months. It's good to see someone like her who did not have immediate success, but picked herself back up and tried again. She wasn't happy just being a good singer, she wanted to be a great singer. I like that she was quiet and unassuming, and although she didn't like controversy, she set precedents for African Americans. I thought it was interesting that her concert at the Lincoln Memorial may have been what prompted many similar events during the civil rights movement at that particular location. The connection between Marian and Eleanor Roosevelt was also a very interesting part of this book.
Reviews
"a fully realized portrait of a musical artist and her times...an outstanding, handsome biography. Freedman at his best. "-- Kirkus Reviews, starred
Awards/Honors
The Robert F. Sibert Medal
A Newbery Honor Book
Suggested Activities
I would have students find recordings of Marian Anderson's famous songs to share with the group. It is one thing to read about a brilliant voice, but another to actually experience it.
The book mentions several times that Marian was unable to stay in a hotel in the U.S. even after touring all over Europe and Asia. I would have the readers do some research to find out when the laws changed allowing African Americans to book hotel rooms. We would then discuss what it would be like to travel, but not have a reliable place to stay.
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