Dancing in the Streets…
In 1964, when the passage of the Civil Rights Act and race riots in the United States intersected, Motown legend Marvin Gaye along with Mickey Stevenson, and Ivy Jo Turner wrote what they termed “a party song” called “Dancing in the Street.”
Some members of the black liberation movement adopted the song as a call to action. Songwriter Mickey Stevenson saw it as a song of integration where “young black people and young white people could go out on the street and dance together.” Martha Reeves, the lead singer of Martha and the Vandellas who recorded it, believes the song is an expression of positive energy, joy, and hope. It was summer, and “Dancing in the Street” soared to the top of the charts during a time of turmoil as the country and the black community struggled to affirm racial equality and personal freedom.
Over years of popularity, “Dancing in the Street” has achieved the iconic status of anthem. It is one of only 50 sound recordings in the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry. Its words, spirit, and urgent energy are important and relevant today as people poured into the streets of a divided America at another racial crossroads to dance and celebrate the election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
Calling out around the world,
Are you ready for a brand new beat?
Summer's here and the time is right
For dancing in the street.
No, it was not summer, but for more than 81 million people, it felt that way - bright, happy, ripe with possibilities and the freedom to dance in the street without fear. Why? Because on November 7, 2020, four days after Election Day, at 11:24am, CNN was the first major news organization to officially declare that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were President-elect and Vice President-elect, respectively, of these United States. Joy burst forth in a crescendo of foot-stomping energy as people all across the country (and even the world) started dancing in the street.
They're dancing in Chicago
Down in New Orleans
Up in New York City…
Philadelphia, PA
Baltimore and D.C. now
Can’t forget the Motor City…
Way down in L.A.
Every news channel, jumping from city to city, showed people (most of them wearing masks) cheering, waving their arms, honking their horns, and dancing, dancing, dancing with abandon. After a divisive election and a pandemic that has already taken almost 250,000 lives, dancing was a release from the anxiety, pain, chaos, lies, and loss of 2020. The mood was euphoric, celebrating a victory fought for and won despite countless obstacles. The promise of change was sweet and meant to be enjoyed.
All you need is music, sweet music
There’ll be music everywhere
There’ll be swinging, swaying, records playing
Dancing in the street.
Not everyone was dancing. The 74 plus million people who voted for Donald Trump were not happy. They were angry and eager for the lawsuits President Trump promises he will mount in the courts to challenge the results in some of the states President-elect Biden has won. The current President has every right to do this. For his part, Joe Biden understands the hurt that Trump followers feel, and he reached out to them in his victory speech this evening.
Joe Biden told them, “I understand the disappointment tonight. I’ve lost a couple of times myself. Now let’s give each other a chance. It’s time to put away the harsh rhetoric, lower the temperature, see each other again, listen to each other again.” And in keeping with his promise to be president for all Americans, the President-elect urged both sides, “…we have to stop treating our opponents as our enemies. They are not our enemies. They’re Americans.”
They’ll be dancing
They’re dancing in the street
It’s just an invitation across the nation
A chance for folks to meet.
The rancor will not end immediately. The lawsuits will have to play out. As they do, all of us should be conciliatory and respectful to one another. Is it too much to ask or too much to expect that our elected officials will be role models and take the lead in finding common ground, bridging what divides us, and helping our country to heal? The next few months will tell.
All we need is music, sweet music
There'll be music everywhere…
Is it too much to ask or too naïve to expect that we do this not only for ourselves, but to set an example for our children? This is their country, their future. What we do and how we act will teach them more about citizenship and democracy than they will ever learn from a text book. In the meantime, we should wish the newly elected President Biden and Vice-President Harris our congratulations and best wishes.
Oh, it doesn’t matter what you wear
Just as long as you are there
Dancing in the street.
“Dancing in the Street” by Marvin Gaye, Mickey Stevenson, and Ivy Jo Turner was recorded by Martha Reeves and the Vandellas on June 19 and released on July 31, 1964.