New York was full of Peace, Love, and Soul on Saturday as its citizens paid tribute to the late Don Cornelius.
About 100 dancers grooved their way through Times Square in a flash mob organized through Facebook. Dressed in their best 70s gear, participants gave unsuspecting onlookers quite a show as they recreated the show’s famed “Soul Train Line”.
Fans celebrated Cornelius’ courage and vision in the creation and success of “Soul Train” which aired from 1971-2006. This groundbreaking show aided the exposure of many young black artists, as well as promoting the ideology that we can all find a commonality through music as he integrated white artists into his show.
A few subway stops away in Harlem, Reverend Al Sharpton held a tribute gathering at the headquarters of the National Action Network. A younger Sharpton had appeared on the show in 1974 to present an award to James Brown. Other celebrities, like singer Roberta Flack joined the rally to reminisce on the influence of such a legend.
Don Cornelius helped integrate Black culture into mainstream America, and inspired many minds and for that we will forever be in-debt to him.
