Firstly, after much writers prerogative and Facebook [1] / Twitter [2] posting; I would like to say a word or two on Ms. Etta James.
Born Jamesetta Hawkins, she "is regarded as having bridged the gap between rhythm and blues and rock and roll [3]". She in fact is one of my all-time favorite artists, even for me as a kid, and it is her voice that always made me smile or tear-up.
I like so many people, loved her song 'At Last'[4] it always welled up something beautiful inside... or maybe just old regrets, but that is neither here nor there. (The Lyrics [5])
It is even the one song I was absolutely sure I wanted played at my Wedding, if that is ever to happen.
Etta James, has such great and amazing musical talent and was the muse and inspiration for so many R&B and Rock and Roll artists that it would take a while to mention.
She will surely be missed by her family and those of us who appreciated her talent and personality.
Thank you Etta James, for such inspiring and Beautiful music over all these years.
You are home, at last.
On a second note, that is entirely too long in wait, I want us all to remember Gordon Hirabayashi [6].
Honestly I did not even know of this amazing fellow until today, when reading George Takei's 'Blog. With all my interest in Japanese Culture, from Asia to America, and my determination to know and understand the truth behind mainline History.
I find missing this single Man a travesty on all counts, since he was more American than most when the time came for him to stand up against those who acted upon fear and prejudice over rational and Constitutional minds.
He was one of many whose persistence helped get him and others an apology from the United States Government after four decades of denial.
The apology I knew about, yet I never looked into the whole thing in any real detail.
I have long debated about writing about the Internment Concentration camps; from Nazi Germany, to WWII America, to Modern day America.
It is a touchy subject, that beats Dragon's fire on all sides even still, at least for those who actually know about these things or care about them at all.
But I have a quote from Benjamin Franklin from 1730 that stays by my computer at all times, that I use as a reminder, and it states,
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed.", although as Benjamin originally printed this now quote, it is much heavier in word [7].
In any regard this reminds me that as long as I have breath and ability to say something, I shall use my Right of Free Speech to say it, no matter the opinion of somebody else.
And thanks to George Takei's [8] words and memoriam on Gordon Hirabayashi, I have decided to jump back into my research and write a full but concise 'Blog on this subject of Internment Camps/Concentration Camps.
People need to know, because anytime freedom is threatened and people are subjugated, it is because someone else censored them or silenced them or took away the knowledge that could have warned and saved them.
Remember, Ignorant masses are the easiest to manipulate, and what you don't know can and will hurt you.
R. William Holzkopf Jr.
2) https://twitter.com/djbluboy
3) https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Etta_James
4) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADDigK8LwyE
5) http://www.romantic-lyrics.com/atlast.shtml
6) http://www.allegiancemusical.com/blog-entry/hero-our-democracy
7) Section 8, "Apologies For Printers" 1730
http://www.humanities.uci.edu/history/ucihp/Partnershipsandpresentations/BenFranklinW11/Benjamin%20Franklin%20Apology%20for%20Printers%20Context%20Activity.pdf
8) https://www.facebook.com/georgehtakei
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