Back in the 1980s my wife and I attended a sold-out Latin concert at the old Curtis Hixon Hall. Gloria Estefan and the “Miami Sound Machine” were in town–and didn’t disappoint. Afterward, we saw them all crossing Ashley Drive still in their band uni’s, still winding down from Conga and Rhythm is Gonna Get You. Fun night all around.
Fast forward more than three decades. There they now were: Gloria, 58, and her producer/husband Emilio Estefan, 62, at the White House to receive Presidential Medals of Freedom from President Barack Obama. And what context: Other recipients included Barbra Streisand, Steven Spielberg, James Taylor, Stephen Sondheim, Itzhak Perlman and Willie Mays.
This was, indeed, special.
The Estefans, both Cuban-Americans, are members of the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame. And their international acclaim and Hispanic back story have been made into the Broadway musical On Your Feet! Their inclusion among the other, iconic honorees–the Medal of Freedom is the country’s highest civilian honor–was a reminder of America at its best. Culturally inclusive and richly diverse. A societal talent pool like no other.
How lucky we have been. Muchas gracias.