Stevie Wonder

"Just because a man lacks the use of his eyes doesn't mean he lacks vision"(Stevie Wonder). Stevie Wonder has been blind since birth, but has not let his eyesight loss restrain him from making the most out of his life and music. At a young age, Wonder's father left him, his five siblings, and his mom. Although born in Saginaw, Michigan, Wonder's single mother raised her family in Detroit. When Motown Records signed Wonder at the age of nine, he became known as "Little Stevie Wonder." Throughout his musical career, he would continue to win multiple Grammy awards and become member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His rhythm and blues songs such as "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" and "My Cherie Amour" would make their way into the soundtracks of people's lives. Being an entertainer, Wonder also gives back to many "political and social causes including Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the establishment of a national holiday honoring Martin Luther King Jr., the anti-apartheid movement, AIDS awareness, and Charge Against Hunger program" ("Stevie Wonder."). Upon creating his own studio, standing in Burbank, California, Wonder remains a songwriter. Yet he is producing albums at his own rate. Despite having no eyesight, Wonder does not ever let his handicap get in the way of bettering neither his songs nor his effort to aid causes. People admire Wonder for producing such soulful music, but his passionate, driven, and optimistic personality defines Wonder to be more than a recording artist but a hero.

It is because of Wonder's passion for musical integrity that he was able to sing songs about social issues and raise awareness. Wonder utilizes his music to capture his listeners' attention as he expresses about social and political distresses. He does so on the album Songs in the Key of Life after the opening song, "Love's in Need of Love:" "The tracks that follow cover several issues of societal concern, from the impoverished black ghetto ('Village Ghetto Land') and the dangers of materialism and apathy ('Pastime Paradise') to utopian statements of racial and economic equality ('Saturn'). Wonder's special attention to African American concerns is especially pronounced on 'Black Man' and 'Sir Duke,' in which the singer pays tribute to advancements made by black Americans in the fields of science, politics, and music" (J. Griffith Rollefson). Wonder's passionate personality allows him to express his stand on social and political problems. Especially on the album, Songs in the Key of Life, Wonder takes the opportunity to sing his concerning opinions. He combines his love for music and social activism in his songs: "Village Ghetto Land," "Pastime Paradise," "Saturn," "Black Man," and "Sir Duke," of this album. Since he believes strongly in his stands on social and political topics, he takes those feelings and expresses them through his music. Wonder's passion to sing his opinions about social and political issues and for music allows the public's ears to hear about these issues. As he said to Billboard, "...music is the vehicle I've been given as a way to do that [talk about his political or social positions]." On May 13, 1971, Wonder turned 21 and wanted to gain his musical independence from Motown Records: "It was a rather bitter split, but one that he felt he had to make in order to record and produce his kind of music. 'I wasn't growing,' he later explained. 'I just kept repeating the Stevie Wonder sound, and it didn't express how I felt about what was happening out there.... I wanted to see what would happen if I changed.'" Wonder's passion to produce the music he wants to produce is heroic because he took a risk by breaking off from Motown Records. He was able to record on his own, an undetermined fate as of result. Especially at that young age, Wonder had obtained a passion for musical integrity. Now with his own studio, production company, and publishing house, Wonder became enabled to sing what he wished to. No Motown. No pressure. No distractions. Knowing that it may have been a pretty rocky journey upon leaving Motown, Wonder made the brave decision to feed his passion of expressing his feelings about obstacles society faces. Wonder shares a passion to use his music to talk about his social and political thoughts.  Though the tunes are catchy, the message his songs give prove Wonder is more than a recording artist.

Wonder's driven trait shows his determination to give back and have a humanitarian voice while being a musician. In 2010, Wonder traveled internationally to personally talk to WIPO to allow the visually impaired copyright protected works ("STEVIE WONDER CALLS FOR INTERNATIONAL ACTION TO ENHANCE ACCESSIBILITY FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED PERSONS."): "The award-winning musician told delegates, 'We must declare a state of emergency, and end the information deprivation that continues to keep the visually impaired in the dark. We must spread the word that the untapped genius of the 300 plus million who have a visual disability are in need of our love and action; today, not tomorrow, but today.'" Wonder's drive is evident as he journeyed across the globe to not go to his own concert, not sign a recording contract, but to persuade WIPO and help visually impaired get served some justice. At WIPO, Wonder wanted to convince the board that they should allow the blind access to copyright protected works. He had the drive to persuade WIPO Assemblies to accept his challenge to show those with eyesight disabilities are not invisible to them. Wonder's drive and determination was evident in his conversation with the board. When it comes to showing support, he does so for multiple charities and causes: "He was very active in efforts to have Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday established as a national holiday...he has also lent his support to world hunger relief, AIDS research, the anti-apartheid movement, and drunk-driving education" ("Stevie Wonder."). Wonder possesses a drive that allowed him to push for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Although maybe not so necessary, considering the trouble it took for Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday to become a national holiday, Wonder had his mind set to do whatever it takes to accomplish just that. In 1983, Congress had passed the holiday legislation. Countless hours and days out of Wonder's and many others' time shows the dedication to give Martin Luther King Jr. the honor he deserves. Wonder also shows his driven attitude as he helps support world hunger relief, AIDS research, the anti-apartheid movement, and drunk-driving education. His desire to help those he can and their success shows his drive to not just better his music nor himself, but others, especially those in need of love. Wonder possesses a unique care for other people and helping those in need. He has a drive to do whatever he can, whatever it takes, and wherever his presence is essential.

However many know of Wonder for his blindness, he refuses to let it define him. His optimistic nature admits him to look on the bright side of his handicap. In August 1973, Wonder encountered a near death car crash that left him with deep facial scars;  "...Wonder was involved in a near-fatal automobile accident that prompted him to reassess his life and the direction his career was taking. 'It became very clear to me that it wasn't enough just to be a rock and roll singer or anything of that nature,' he later recalled. 'I had to make use of whatever talent I have. ... When an audience comes to hear me perform, they know I'm not going to put them to sleep with my moral indignation. ... I entertain them--because I am an entertainer ... but at the same time I can ...enlighten them a little'" ("Stevie Wonder."). Wonder was too close to death, and with a startle such as a car accident. Yet what he took out of that type of experience wasn't fear, but facial scars and motivation. Wonder even received the courage to perform a rock and roll concert like no other, one where he can impart knowledge to his fans on where he stands. Since the event, he became more involved with different social and political causes. With his optimistic virtue he used the event as a reason to work harder, rather than a reason to fear life. Wonder is a man who chooses to refuse to consider himself handicap and who decided a long time ago that being blind isn't so bad; "''Neither this country nor the world will be right until people begin to accept people as being people and not let their insecurities determine the future of this society, this country, this world,' he told a reporter for Jet magazine. 'Sometimes, I feel I am really blessed to be blind because I probably would not last a minute if I were able to see things. God knew what he was doing'" ("Stevie Wonder."). Instead of being blind getting him down in the dumps and lowering his self-confidence, Wonder maintains positivity from it. He believes God had good intentions when He made Wonder blind, and that he would not be the same person he is if it weren't for his visual impairment. Wonder is especially optimistic when it comes to his blindness, as he does not look at it as a curse, but a blessing. He himself does not want to see people's self-doubt take over their lives and the future for everyone as a whole. Instead he wants them to accept who God made them to be, like he has done so. Whether it is a near-death experience or his own blindness, Wonder always finds ways to think positively and rise up from the ashes.

Although a phenomenal entertainer and recording artist, Stevie Wonder's caring, determined, and bright attitude shows he has more values than engrossing money and receiving an award. When Wonder comes to mind, most think of his hit songs and countless Grammy trophies. Yet, he has shown he is more than a musical prodigy. He proves that one can accomplish what they hope to with passion.  Whether by singing openly about political and social concerning topics, or even leaving an eminent recording studio such as Motown. He proves that one can do anything with drive. Whether it is persuading WIPO to let visually impaired persons access copyright protected works or simply aiding in charities and causes. He proves that there is more power than it seems when one thinks positively with optimism. Whether it is recovering from a destructive car crash or dealing with a disability like blindness. Wonder once said, "Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there." He knows there is more to his meaning in life than producing soundtracks and being a performer. "As an artist, songwriter and producer concerned with major humanitarian issues, his voice has lent itself to charities in support of disabilities, AIDS, cancer, diabetes, hunger and homelessness, domestic abuse and numerous other causes on behalf of children and adults" (Ann M. Cumming). Stevie Wonder is an inspiration because he works just as hard with music as humanitarian causes. Being a successful artist, Wonder remains humble and works to better his music and fame to better areas of social and political concern. His selfless and giving attitude considers Wonder inspiring because he continues to think of others and proves that anyone can do anything, with eyes or not. When Wonder stated, "Just because a man lacks the use of his eyes doesn't mean he lacks vision," he validates being blind does not mean he has no purpose nor cannot do anything he sets his mind to. Even though most know him mostly for singing "Superstition," he inspires the rest of the human race that eyes or no eyes, vision is all it takes to enhance the community and become someone's hero.

Works Cited

Cumming, Ann M. "Legendary Singer - Songwriter Stevie Wonder to Receive Service to America Leadership Award." NAB Education Foundation News Release:. National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation, 18 Apr. 2013. Web. 10 Dec. 2013. .

Rollefson, J. Griffith, and Rollefson J. Griffith. "Stevie Wonder." Musicians And Composers Of The Twentieth Century (2009): 1. Biography Reference Center. Web. 4 Dec. 2013

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            Context. Web. 11 Dec. 2013.

"STEVIE WONDER CALLS FOR INTERNATIONAL ACTION TO ENHANCE ACCESSIBILITY FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED PERSONS." States News Service 20 Sept. 2010. Biography in Context. Web. 11 Dec. 2013.