Strange Fruit:
sung by Billie Holiday, who died on this date in 1959 -the same year this video is from- of cirrhosis at the age of 44. from Wikipedia: "The Federal Bureau of Narcotics, under the order of the openly racist Harry J. Anslinger, had been targeting Holiday since at least 1939, when she started to perform "Strange Fruit". She was arrested and handcuffed for drug possession. As she lay dying, her hospital room was raided, and she was placed under police guard."
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...being black in America has always be tough and it still is.
ReplyDeletetrue
DeleteBillie Holiday had such an amazing voice. It's too bad she didn't have longer to share that voice with us.Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's a tragedy that she didn't live longer.
DeleteFabulous blog
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteIt's a powerful song.
ReplyDeleteHaunting song about hard truths--with such a voice expressing the pain and sorrow.
ReplyDeleteShe had such a hard life :(
DeleteSo sad, she was so talented. Valerie
ReplyDeleteYes, such a tragic end to a sad life.
DeleteI never hear this song without stopping to really process the words. So powerful. And it was gutsy of her to do this in her stage of career. What a voice.
ReplyDeleteIt's horrifying to think how recent lynching was common.
Delete