Will Aretha Franklin's Inaugural Hat Stir Controversy?
Aretha Franklin's Inaugural Hat: Naughty or Nice?
"What was up with Aretha Franklin's hat at the inauguration? While it's quite Aretha-like, between the shape and the bow and the glitter she reminded me of the ball atop Times Square on New Year's Eve. Tone it down, honey, this is not your day," writes blogger Kristi Gustafson on Timesunion.com.
Gustafon's sentiments, catty has her particular expression of them may be, are indeed shared by other people, as a number of commenters on Gustafson's blog express their outrage over the hat. They feel that Aretha Franklin's hat was too ostentatious, that it, if you will, stole some of Barack Obama's presidential thunder.
Aretha Franklin, Mahalia Jackson, and Traditional Elder Baptist African American Women's Headwear
Other commenters on Gustafon's blog point out that large hats are traditional among older black women in the Baptist tradition, and that Franklin's choice of headwear was entirely appropriate for the occasion because it is reminiscent of the style of hat that legendary gospel singer Mahalia Jackson wore when she sang in front of 200,000 people at the March on Washington in 1963. This is where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered what is arguably the most magnificent and inspiring speech in history, the "I've Got a Dream" speech.
"I think that it may have been a reminiscent of the hat worn by the famous gospel singer Mahalia Jackson during the March on Washington speeches, in 1963. The hat Ms. Jackson wore was very similar, and Ms. Jackson, like Ms. Franklin now, was the most famous gospel singer of her time. I think Ms. Franklin may have had that in mind when she selected her hat," writes commenter Jay on Timesunion.com.
This humble citizen journalist thinks that Jay is most probably right.
Sources:
Aretha Franklin looks like the times sqaure ball, Kristi Gustafson, Timesunion.com
Mahalia Jackson, Wikipedia
Published by Hartley Engel
I was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada but raised in Los Angeles, California. I have a BA and MsEd degree from USC. View profile
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24 Comments
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Aretha's hat inappropriate? Who are these people and just how far will they go to trash OUR President? I am a middle aged white grandmother from the Central Valley of California. I mention this only to show how broad the appeal is both for Aretha's wonderful hat and for the President that we have placed OUR collective trust in. GOD BLESS our President, our Nation and Big Women in Big Hats!!!
sorry for the last two posts! i couldnt read the anti-spam text. Anyways all there is to say is that hat was the BOMB. Black women's church hats are always amazing in my opinion, and I guarantee that every black woman in DC was rocking her most fabulous hat for that most fabulous occasion. Let the haters hate.
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Are these people serious. Do any of these writers with their comments or remarks understand the real history of negro people. It appears that some of you are either stupid or plain dumb. The female negro woman has always worn hats of different size, shapes, color, with or without feathers, stones or jewels of some type, ribbons, bows, etc. how dare any of you say anything about Ms. Aretha Franklin hat. What is wrong with you silly people outshine the President? Do you really hear yourselves. Look you can not make this a laughing stock just because you resent President Obama and the man is of color. Get a life, get over it this man will be your President for the next four years. Put the disrespect behind close doors and cut the chicken feathers jokes your daddies and mommies were know different they only kept their secrets in the closet or bury underground behind the barnyard or underneath the porch. So swallow the insults and allow this man to be a President without the cheap
Are these people serious. Do any of these writers with their comments or remarks understand the real history of negro people. It appears that some of you are either stupid or plain dumb. The female negro woman has always worn hats of different size, shapes, color, with or without feathers, stones or jewels of some type, ribbons, bows, etc. how dare any of you say anything about Ms. Aretha Franklin hat. What is wrong with you silly people outshine the President? Do you really hear yourselves. Look you can not make this a laughing stock just because you resent President Obama and the man is of color. Get a life, get over it this man will be your President for the next four years. Put the disrespect behind close doors and cut the chicken feathers jokes your daddies and mommies were know different they only kept their secrets in the closet or bury underground behind the barnyard or underneath the porch. So swallow the insults and allow this man to be a President without the pop s
To the anonymous poster Karen who commented on my page, and to anyone else I may have offended: I apologize for the term I used describing the blogger. It was unprofessional. However, I don't believe I in any way expressed any disrespect toward Ms. Franklin. I have a complete understanding of the traditional church and important event attire, regardless of my race.
I think Aretha wore the hat in memory of Mahalia Jackson,and especially women who struggled during the Civil Rights Era and are no longer here to witness history. Aretha's dad was once the pastor of a large church in Detroit. Traditionally, Black women have always worn hats, especially to church where an outfit was not compete without one. Did anyone notice 96 year old Dr. Dorothy Height (Civil Rights Activist) at the Inaguration with her usual hat? It was not uncommon to see women (regardless of color) traveling on a train or plane wearing a hat, and even high heels 40 years ago. The world is different now, but Aretha looked very respectful and was reminiscent of "old school".
White woman growing up in the South and in the country, the ladies of the black churches cherished their hats. They still treasure their hats and wear them to church. It is black culture and it is beautiful, glad the tradition was shared with the world.