The other night someone tweeted a line from 'Young, Gifted And Black' that sent a rush of inspiration through me, and seemed to replace the discouragement I had been feeling lately. I was having one of those 'I'm done!' moments. Too much injustice and opposition. And too much apathy.
I think this song came through right when I needed it. It reminded me that just the same as Nina Simone used her voice as a weapon to sing against the deeply embedded racism and anti-Black sentiments in this country, this happens with anyone who is working towards equity and who has garnered a level of consciousness and refuses to remain silent. It may not seem like much right now, but I hope this post serves as at least some level of encouragement to all of you activists, advocates and whistleblowers who work to actualize justice and truth, and that when you feel discouraged and wonder if you are indeed making a difference or want to give up, that you recognize you are making a difference! If this were not so, then you wouldn't face so much opposition. Take joy in knowing you are powerful -- moreso than you realize, I'm sure. Thanks to Nina for this one. And to my Twitter pal, for sharing.
Young, Gifted and Black. Oh, what a lovely, precious dream.
To be Young, Gifted and Black. Open your heart to what I mean.
In the whole world you know, there's a million boys and girls who are Young, Gifted and Black
and that's a fact.
You are Young, Gifted and Black. We must begin to tell our young.
There's a world waiting for you. Yours is the quest that's just begun.
When you're feeling real low there's a great truth that you should know
When you're Young, Gifted and Black your soul's in tact.
To be Young, Gifted and Black. Oh, how I've longed to know the truth.
There are times when I look back and I am haunted by my youth.
But my joy of today is that we can all be proud to say to be Young, Gifted and Black is where it's at.
Is where it's at.
Is where it's at.
