133 Comments

Thank you Dan. As I tweeted, it is an honor and a blessing to be reminded by you of what it means to be an American, to be reminded of the high ideals we have chosen to live by, just because we are Americans...

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Beautiful story about a beautiful woman and an even more beautiful event! Keep bringing them, Dan! Love your stories!

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I had heard of Marion Edelman but had never heard her sing and didn't know about this event. Watching this was mesmerizing for the miraculous singing but also seeing the enormous crowd that turned out to see her. Look at the faces. It was integrated. This was 1939 when fascism was on the march in Europe and the US was largely segregated. Except here in this moment.

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It’s hard to believe this event is not that far in the past - 20 years before my birth but certainly in the lifetime of my remaining aunts & uncles. We’ve traveled far as a country since then but, yet, not far enough. Thanks for sharing this with us.

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Thank you so much Dan and Elliot for reminding us of this event. My grandfather was a huge fan of both First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt and Marian Anderson and I grew up hearing this story. All courageous acts, both big and small in the history of our nation, must be repeated and the stories retold so that we know where we came from, and more importantly, where we still need to go.

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Another fascinating topic is her relationship with Albert Einstein, which began when was denied a hotel room on the Princeton campus, after giving a performance there.

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Thank you so very much for sharing this story. It's beautiful, and relevant to what's going on now.

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I was privileged as a college student at American University to sit next to her on a train ride from DC to NYC coming home on break in 1970 or 1971. After a few minutes of digesting who it was sitting next to me, and getting over my shock, we had a lovely conversation. I don't remember anything in particular but I remember being in awe of this woman who I had heard about my whole (short) life. The older I got the more amazed I was that I had that opportunity. Thanks for this.

Paul Schwartz

American University class of 1973

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Born in 1949, I was honored to see her on TV. She had a compelling stage presence. Wonderful singer, better person. I never heard or saw racism at home although Mom said Dad was racist, just never allowed to show it to us kids! Thank you,Mom. She was 93 on Jan. 5th. What a way to celibrate! I used to sing in a professional choir prior to my motercycle accident. Love good music, from Ms. Anderson, ABBA, & PENTATONIX! Music transcends all borders, real or imagined.

Thank you, Dan, for reminding us we are only human in artificial shells that God will collect!

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I simply wanted to thank you for creating this platform. I enjoy reading your words immensely. I've always admired your intelligence, your perpetual positivity and your always appreciated candor. Thank you for sharing your brilliant mind and enjoyable storytelling abilities with us. I appreciate you, sir.

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True talent cannot be denied.

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What a powerful powerful message in song! Thank you for this.

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Can I hear the whole doco.?

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Astonishing! Thank you for this beautiful woman and her lovely voice.

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Jan 9, 2022Liked by Elliot Kirschner

Thank you so very much, Dan and Elliot.

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Even though I could join the DAR, this is the reason I will not.

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