Marvin Gaye, BOMA Minute

On this day April 2, 1939 Marvin Gaye was born in Washington DC. He was an accomplished musician and silk-voiced balladeer who honed his skills under streets lamps in the District of Columbia. His talent was showcased in several singing groups around the country before he landed in Motown. His genius earned him a Grammy Award and ultimately led to his Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The poetry in the words of the first album he produced are as relevant today as the day he penned them, when he ask the the world:

“WHAT’S GOIN’ ON”

Mother, mother, mother

There's too many of you crying

Brother, brother, brother

There's far too many of you dying

You know we've got to find a way

To bring some lovin' here today,

Father, father

We don't need to escalate

You see, war is not the answer

For only love can conquer hate

You know we've got to find a way

To bring some lovin' here today

Tragically Marvin became an ancestor and departed this life just a few hours before his 45th birthday on April 1st 1984.

This has been another Breath of My Ancestors Minute brought to you by the Institute of Radical Reconciliation… #WeMustNeverForget