I really don’t know what happened during slavery
I really don’t know exactly how it came to be
All I know is what I learn in my history
Anything else is a mystery
How did we learn English if we could not read?
Our survival came when they let us have the bible
They thought it would enslave us more but instead
It opened a door born to be free not owned but free
Black sons went off to fight a war to be exterminated
Those who survived shunned and hated
Yes we riot cause we tired of being quiet
Yes we called you whitey and crackers you called us N*ggars
You labeled us with a name of shame
Sure now we use it on each other but I don’t hate
My sisters nor my brothers
Yes we shouted “BLACK POWERâ€
But knew we had none how could we when we were
Out numbered and out gunned
Poor Jesse Jackson ran for presidency but gave up
And ran to his residency hate never meant for us to be free
Sure we called you Mr. Charley and honkey too
You owe my people and I still want that donkey too
All the bullets that riddled Malcolm’s chest
If only he had been wearing a bulletproof vest?
The bullet’s that took martin down
Did not hit anyone else standing around?
Why did JFK have to die? He was standing on the wrong side
Three little girls sitting in pews listening to the good news
I heard a song about it the other day it was the blues
Black child learn your history without it life can be a mystery
Black child learn what they teach you in school
Then go to the library and learn what they’re not teaching you
Black child do you ever wonder why curious George
Don’t talk and he’s owned but Mickey Mouse
Speaks well and lives alone?
Black child when you eat at a restaurant of your choice
Remember someone had to die for you to have that choice
Black child listen to my voice
Black child when you drink from any fountain of water
Black child when you can date any white mans son or daughter
Remember for that someone died and went to the slaughter
Black child some folks hate the skin you’re in
Because God took the time to color you in
Black child hate is not blind it sees you clear
What ever you do educate your mind my dear
Black child you were not born with the spirit of fear
A generation fought hard for you to be here
Black child love one another don’t hate your sister
And your brother you all need each other
Black child hate will feel your pockets with crack
And tell you to go out and sale, sale, sale
Black child is that a drowning ape on your jacket
Is that a monkey on your shoes?
Black child if you don’t wake up you’re bound to lose
Black child hate will shackle and put you behind bars
Black child I know its rough but Black child
Don’t you dare r give up
Black child you come from a generation who had enough
Who stood up and would not shut up
Your people died with stripes on their backs
So that you can be free and black
Black child never forget we die we don’t quit
Black child when you can’t cope
Remember for you someone hung from a rope
Black child we did not come to America she came to us
Black child we have been here so long believe it or
Not they still refuse to let us make ourselves at home
Black child use your frustration to get your education
You will need it for this nation
Black child hate did not die it is well and alive
Black child love yourself no matter what you do
If you don’t you will destroy and kill everything that looks like you
Black child I’m not preaching you could call it teaching
Out to you I’m reaching
Black child hate does not emancipate
Black child never be ashamed of your color or your name
Let no one enslave you in chains
Black child many had to pay for your freedom
Life was the price for you and me to be free
Black child I see you pointing to the Obama sign
Black child remember that change takes a mighty long time
Black child the white house is not labeled that
Because of the color of the its paint
It was labeled that because they said we cant
A man stood and said “YES WE CANâ€
Black child who are we? We use to be “YOU PEOPLEâ€
Now we’re “WEâ€
Black child you don’t have to listen to me but what ever you do
“ LEARN YOUR HISTORYâ€