Greetings, Marley! This was a tough piece to get through. I wanted this piece to be so much more, but I also wanted this piece to be timely. A little disappointed that it didn’t have a lot more “words.” Thanks for adding a larger context for what Aretha Franklin’s life, career, and body of work mean to many in the black community.

I’ve never been one to get caught up in celebrity adoration, but I’m very much one to appreciate talent and creative expression, and note how they use their influence.

Thanks for your time, Marley.