motown and the civil rights movement
In producing hit records for many African-American artists, Gordy contributed to the fight for racial equality at a time when Martin Luther King and other civil rights icons were leading the charge nationally. He was able to use music as a way to reach into the homes of Americans and subtly create social change by reflecting African-Americans in a positive light on the nation's stage. Motown's recording of Martin Luther King's 'I have a Dream' speech, delivered on August 28, 1963 in Detroit on 'The Great March for Freedom' is considered the most important contribution of Motown to the civil rights struggle. The recording was made so that every American child, black or white, could listen to history. Motown had a tremendous contribution to the overall atmosphere.
Motown had also started a trend for message songs.