What's Really Goin On?: What a Wonder

I put Beloved (Seminar Paper) to the side for a few hours to volunteer some time at the National Civil Rights Museum 2006 Freedom Awards Dinner. It was a good opportunity to participate in one of the City's finer events. This year those honored were Civil Rights leader Dr. Joseph Lowery, Stevie Wonder, and Dr. Bernard Kouchner.

BLSA represented the list of volunteers. Big ups to E and T, lol...

There were some great speeches and presentations during the night, you know those type of speeches that kind of remind you why you work hard, and go through heck to get to the finish line. The words were very beneficial to me, Lord knows I need the motivation these days.

When Stevie Wonder received his award, he took about 15 minutes expressing himself, talking about his mother's recent death, his realization of the existence of racism as a child visiting the south, and his views on war and peace. He then sat down at a piano, and went old school. I remember my mom listening to Stevie Wonder Cd's, syke, records, back in the day. Brought back those childhood memories that make you smile. It's like his voice hasn't changed, sounded just like the records. But he threw down, receiving a standing ovation after he stood up from the piano. Experiencing this live and in living color was worth the time I sat in that boring volunteer orientation meeting.

There was a VIP reception after the Dinner, and of course a brotha was present. There was a live local band performing, and the award recipients were all present. All I know is the band was performing a Stevie Wonder song, when Mr. Wonder, gets on the mike, and says, this will be the only time he gives a free concert. He sits down in front of the keyboards and proceeds to jam with the band for what seemed like 20 minutes or so. It was once again, like listening to old records. I had to throw a few elbows cause some folk did not know how to act up in there jockeying for Kodak moments.

All I can say is that is was an event to experience. Even if you did not like Stevie Wonder, you could not help but feel the energy in the room. It was an experience.

I did have a chance to take photos with some other celebrities as well,