Marvin Gaye’s classic album What’s Going On released in May 1971 focused on the social and political ills of that time. Thirty seven years later the album is still relevant today as the same issues that Marvin Gaye sung about then are still affecting us now.

We have to look around us and contemplate what really is going on around us. Yes, we are making progress. Last week marked the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have A Dream” speech. Barack Obama is the Democratic nominee and can potentially be the first black President of the US.

Yet the country as a whole is hurting. We are in the middle of an economic crisis and gas is teetering around $4 a gallon. Families don’t have health care, houses are being foreclosed on daily. And then there is the war in Iraq.

How much progress have we really made? Is the one step forward, two steps back scenario playing on repeat? Are we going to keep moving forward or end up with more of the same? The choice is in our hands, just something to think about. Be blessed.

The Playlist:

1. Sumthin’s Gotta Give - Big Boi ft Mary J. Blige - Amazon | iTunes
2. Down ‘N Out - Nappy Roots ft Anthony Hamilton - Amazon | iTunes
3. Dreams - Little Brother - Amazon | iTunes
4. Testify (Remix) - Common ft Darien Brockington - Amazon | iTunes
5. I’ve Read About - D’Nell - Amazon | iTunes
6. Upside Down - Ledisi - Amazon | iTunes
7. Doo Wop (That Thing) - Lauryn Hill - Amazon | iTunes
8. What’s Going On - Marvin Gaye - Amazon | iTunes
9. I Believe - Q-Tip ft D’Angelo - MySpace
10. Black President - Nas ft Johnny Polygon - Amazon | iTunes
11. Little Weapon - Lupe Fiasco ft Bishop G & Nikki Jean - Amazon | iTunes
12. Twinkle - Erykah Badu - Amazon | iTunes
13. My Petition - Jill Scott - Amazon | iTunes
14. Krooked Kop - Anthony David - Amazon | iTunes
15. Mr. President - Janelle Monae - Amazon | iTunes

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