Who was the famous African American opera singer and civil rights activist?

• A. Marian Anderson
• B. Ella Fitzgerald
• C. Beyoncé Knowles
• D. Diana Ross

Answer: (A)

Marian Anderson was a groundbreaking African American opera singer known not only for her extraordinary vocal talent but also for her significant contributions to the civil rights movement. She broke racial barriers in the world of classical music and became the first African American to perform at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.

Anderson's activism was evident when she refused to perform in segregated venues and her historic concert at the Lincoln Memorial in 1939, organized after she was denied the opportunity to sing at Constitution Hall due to her race. This event became a pivotal moment in the struggle for civil rights for African Americans, symbolizing the fight against racial discrimination. Her legacy extends beyond music; she is celebrated as a figure who used her platform to advocate for equality and justice.

While Ella Fitzgerald, Beyoncé Knowles, and Diana Ross are all immensely talented artists, their primary contributions are in various music genres outside of opera, and they did not have the same level of direct involvement in the civil rights movement as Anderson.