A Black American by Smokey Robinson I love being Black. I love being called Black. I love being an American. I love being a Black American, but as a Black man in this country I think its a shame That every few years we get a change of name. Since those first ships arrived here from Africa that came across the sea There were already Black men in this country who were free. And as for those that came over here on those terrible boats, They were called niggah and slave And told what to do and how to behave. And then master started trippin and doing his midnight tippin, Down to the slave shacks where he forced he and Great-Great Grandma to be together, And if Great-Great Grandpa protested, he got tarred and feathered. And at the same time, the Black men in the country who were free, Were mating with the tribes like the Apache and the Cherokee. And as a result of all that, were a parade of every shade. And as in this late day and age, you can be sure, They aint too many of us in this country whose bloodline is pure. But, according to a geological, geographical, genealogy study published in Time Magazine, The Black African people were the first on the scene, So for what its worth, the Black African people were the first on earth And through migration, our characteristics started to change, and rearrange, To adapt to whatever climate we migrated to. And thats how I became me, and you became you. So, if we gonna go back, lets go all the way back, And if Adam was Black and Eve was Black, Then that kind of makes it a natural fact that everybody in America is an African American. Everybody in Europe is an African European; everybody in the Orient is an African Asian And so on and so on, That is, if the origin of man is what were gonna go on. And if one drop of Black blood makes you Black like they say, Then everybodys Black anyway. So quit trying to change my identity. Im already who I was meant to be Im a Black American, born and raised. And brother James Brown wrote a wonderful phrase, Say it loud, Im Black and Im proud! Say it loud, Im Black and Im proud! Cause Im proud to be Black and I aint never lived in Africa, And cause my Great-Great Granddaddy on my Daddys side did, dont mean I want to go back. Now I have nothing against Africa, Its where some of the most beautiful places and people in the world are found. But Ive been blessed to go a lot of places in this world, And if you ask me where I choose to live, I pick America, hands down. Now, by and by, we were called Negroes, and after while, that name has vanished. Anyway, Negro is just how you say black in Spanish. Then, we were called colored, but ****, everybodys one color or another, And I think its a shame that we hold that against each other. And it seems like we reverted back to a time when being called Black was an insult, Even if it was another Black man who said it, a fight would result, Cause weve been so brainwashed that Black was wrong, So that even the yellow niggahs and black niggahs couldnt get along. But then, came the 1960s when we struggled and died to be called equal and Black, And we walked with pride with our heads held high and our shoulders pushed back, And Black was beautiful. But, I guess that wasnt good enough, Cause now here they come with some other stuff. Who comes up with this **** anyway? Was it one, or a group of niggahs sitting around one day? Feelin a little insecure again about being called Black And decided that African American sounded a little more exotic. Well, I think you were being a little more neurotic. Its that same mentality that got Amos and Andy put off the air, Cause they were embarrassed about the way the characters spoke. And as a result of that action, a lot of wonderful Black actors ended up broke. When we were just laughin and have fun about ourselves. So I say, **** you if you cant take a joke. You didnt see the Beverly Hillbillys being protested by white folks. And if you think, that cause you think that being called African American set all Black peoples mind at ease..... Since we affectionately call each other niggah, I affectionately say to you, niggah Please. How come I didnt get the chance to vote on who Id like to be? Who gave you the right to make that decision for me? I aint under your rule or in your dominion And I am entitled to my own opinion. Now there are some African Americans here, But they recently moved here from places like Kenya, Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Zaire. But, now the brother whos family has lived in the country for generations, Occupying space in all the locations New York, Miami, L.A., Detroit, Chicago- Even if hes wearing a dashiki and sporting an afro. And, if you go to Africa in search of your race, Youll find out quick youre not an African American, Youre just a Black American in Africa takin up space. Why you keep trying to attach yourself to a continent, Where if you got the chance and you went, Most people there would even claim you as one of them; as a pure bread daughter or son of them. Your heritage is right here now, no matter what you call yourself or what you say And a lot of people died to make it that way. And if you think America is a leader on inequality and suffering and grievin How come there so many people comin and so few leavin? Rather than all this find fault with America **** you promotin, If you want to change something, use your privilege, get to the polls! Commence to votin! God knows weve earned the right to be called American Americans and be free at last. And rather than you movin forward progress, you dwelling in the past. Weve struggled too long; weve come too far. Instead of focusing on who we were, lets be proud of who we are. We are the only people whose name is always a trend. When is this **** gonna end? Look at all the different colors of our skin- Black is not our color. Its our core. Its what we been livin and fightin and dyin for. But if you choose to be called African American and thats your preference Then I ll give you that reference But I know on this issue I dont stand alone on my own and if I do, then let me be me And Id appreciate it if when you see me, youd say, there goes a man who says it loud Im Black. Im Black. Im a Black American, and Im proud Cause I love being an American. And I love being Black. I love being called Black. Yeah, I said it, and I dont take it back. Smokey Robinson Def Poets, 3rd Season May 16, 2003 (c)
Posted on: Wed, 05 Mar 2014 00:29:53 +0000
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