For the second consecutive day, hundreds of people continued to parade today at the Museum of African American History in Detroit to say goodbye to the “Queen of Soul”, Aretha Franklin, who died 13 days ago in the city.
Yesterday Franklin’s followers had to wait patiently in line under the high temperatures and humidity to enter the museum where the body of the diva lies, today the crowd faces the threat of storms and rains.
Even so, the weather conditions have not been able to undermine the enthusiasm of Franklin fans to see the remains of a woman, who for almost 60 years was able to encapsulate in their songs and life the hopes and vicissitudes of many African Americans.
“Aretha has inspired us, it has inspired generations,” Judy Dallas, who traveled from Columbus, in the state of Ohio, while waiting to enter the museum, told Efe. “She has opened the way for many of us,” she added.
Dallas said he has decided to go to pay his “respects to the Queen”, who like herself, was a mother during adolescence.
Franklin “serves as a representative of young mothers who can be successful and raise their children at the same time.” I feel totally identified with the Queen “del Soul,” concluded Dallas, who carried a poster in her hands of the artist.
This Wednesday is the last day that fans of the singer will have the opportunity to give her last goodbye in the museum’s ardent chapel.
Tomorrow his body will be moved to the New Bethel Baptist Church, the Detroit temple where his father, Clarence LaVaughn Franklin, served as pastor between 1946 and 1979.
Also on Thursday a concert in honor of Franklin will be held in the city.
The tributes to the “Queen of Soul” have not stopped multiplying:
Last night, singer Taylor Swift recalled Franklin to the 50,000 people who packed their concert at Ford Field in Detroit.
“Detroit, last week we lost an irreplaceable force, Aretha Franklin did so much for music, did so much for women’s rights, did so much for civil rights,” said Swift, who finished his tour yesterday, “Reputation Stadium,” in that locality.
Next, Swift requested a minute of silence in which the lights of the stadium were extinguished and the public muted until the singer pronounced a “we love you, Aretha”.
Also last night, almost a thousand people gathered at the roundabout of the Museum of African American History, once visiting hours to see the remains of Franklin, in order to participate in a service offered by the Delta Sigma Theta female Brotherhood , of which Franklin was an honorary member since 1992.
The service was a tribute to the sisterhood, a non-profit organization made up of women to promote academic excellence and help those in need, celebrating to honor the lives of its deceased members and one of its few ceremonies that are open to public.
Franklin’s funeral will be held on Friday at the Greater Grace Temple. At funerals only family, friends and personalities from the world of politics, music and civil society are invited, but they will be broadcast by the main television channels.
Among the speakers of the ceremony will be former President Bill Clinton (1993-2001). Former Attorney General Eric Holder, singer Smokey Robins and reverends Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton will also speak.
Among the musicians who will participate in the service include Stevie Wonder, Faith Hill and Chaka Khan. After the ceremony, Franklin will be buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit, along with several members of his family, including his father.
Woodlawn is also the resting place of Rosa Parks, the historic civil rights activist.
