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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 11, 2023)
January 11, 2023 Page 13 Arts & ENTERTAINMENT Portland Singer Profoundly Affected by Dr. King’s Message Marilyn Keller, renowned vocalist, co-founder of Lift Ev- ery Voice Oregon, and a chief petitioner of the state’s recent- ly passed gun control initiative, was profoundly affected by the assassination of Dr. Martin Lu- ther King Jr., but his message has guided her entire life. Keller was only six years old when King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, but it affected her deeply throughout her childhood. “I can remember a lot about my early years, the prevailing sense of sadness and grief that occurred at the time,” she said. “It always struck me that some- one who only wanted peace and a better world to live in was tak- en by gun violence, and it never sat right in my spirit.” Keller grew up in Alamogor- do, New Mexico, home of both Holloman Air Force Base and Fort Bliss army post, which led to an ethnically varied popula- tion, a “pretty diverse commu- nity coming through our little town church and school sys- tems,” she said. And though she learned a lot Marilyn Keller, renowned vocalist, co-founder of Lift Every Voice Oregon about African American histo- “We were taught well about ry from her parents, the school our history as African Ameri- system was very progressive in cans and that included pre-en- that regard. slavement, so we knew a lot about our history and world his- tory,” she said. Both her eldest sisters were very involved in Black student groups at college, which also in- fluenced her. “They were part of the Black student union and a group called Uhuru Sasa (which means free- dom now),” she said. “They were very much part of the youth movement of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, and carried us with them.” Keller said she came to un- derstand the basis of the Civil Rights movement and was en- couraged to learn even more. “We were encouraged to do our own research on the char- acters and the names and the organizations,” she said. “We weren’t allowed to just stand and spout about Dr. King. We also learned about Sojourner Truth, Mary McCleod Bethune, Harriett Tubman.” She also learned in depth about Dr. King, she said. “We knew more about Dr. King than just the “I Have a Dream” speech. We knew about the death threats and the FBI in- vestigations,” she said. “We also knew that Dr. King was God- sent. It was time for a change and he was one of the agents of that change.” She also learned about the more militant side of the Civil Rights movement, including the Black Muslims and Black Pan- thers, she said, but they were not her greatest influence. “For me, Dr. King’s philoso- phy and his role was the way I had to go,” she said. Keller also used her singing to spread King’s message and her youth choir was well known all over the Southwest, she said. “We had special music pre- sentations all over New Mexi- co, and know all the stanzas of “Lift Every Voice” by the time we were ‘tweens.” Keller led the singing of the “Lift Every Voice,” the Black national anthem, at the packed sanctuary of Augustana Luther- an Church in June at a press Continued on Page 18 In Celebration of Black History Month An Evening of Jazz Legends at Portland 5 Center for the Arts Saturday, February 25th FEATURING Hubert Laws HUBERT LAWS + BRIAN JACKSON Newmark Theatre | 7:00 pm MIKE PHILLIPS Winningstad Theatre | 10:00 pm Brian Jackson TICKETS & INFO: PDXJAZZ.ORG 100+ performances February 16 - 25 at various locations throughout Portland. The mission of PDX Jazz is to evolve the art of jazz by engaging our community, celebrating live performance, and enhancing arts education. Mike Phillips
