For Mariah Carey on Her Golden Anniversary

Mariah at 2018–2019 performances of her Christmas Tour (Copyright: Hallmark Channel), American Music Awards (Copyright: ABC), and Billboard Music Awards (Copyright: NBC)

Fifty years ago today** in Long Island, New York, a baby girl was born to a biracial family of limited means. By the age of 20, this girl had burst onto the music scene with a voice that astounded the world. By the age of 30, she had broken countless industry records and established herself as one of the most successful musicians of all time. Following some major personal and professional setbacks, she mounted one…