Abbey Lincoln

Straight Ahead

Abbey Lincoln was a great singer and actor, one whose greatness came from her personal integrity and sense of ethics. She could have gone the glamorous way that Hollywood determined for her, but she wasn't interested in that, choosing a commitment to civil rights and social progress. A lot of what she says about Billie Holiday in this interview could be said about her as well. Her death yesterday leaves the world richer for her life but poorer for the end of her continuing example.