RIP - Miriam Makeba

Miriam Makeba

b. : 04 March 1932

d. : 09 November 2008

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Born in South Africa, Miriam Makeba was both a singer and a staunch anti-apartheid activist. Her stand for the rights of blacks in South Africa cost her dearly. For speaking publicly against the injustice, her passport was revoked in 1960, making her unable to attend her mother's funeral. She continued to speak out, and in 1963, South Africa revoked her citizenship. . She was later married to Stokely Carmichael, a name that probably means nothing to anyone under 50. Carmichael suffered persecution from American officials, as did Harry Belafonte, with whom Makeba often sang in concerts. I'm proud to say I have an LP titled An Evening With Belafonte/Makeba, which is quite good. . Perhaps by God's grace she was allowed to live long enough to see a black man elected president of the USA. And for those of us who continue the struggle for equal rights for all humans (including gays, Guantanamo POW's, illegal immigrants, and Palestinian refugees), she serves as a reminder that there is a price to pay when you go up against oppressive regimes and hateful institutions. . Good-bye, Miriam Makeba. The torch is now passed to other hands, but you will continue to be an inspiration to us. . You can read more about Ms. Makeba here.