When they see me, they only see my history
They see it from their point of view, a slanted allegory
Not as a person, not as an equal, merely a generalization
Just another product of an ungrateful angry generation
So it brings fear when they see my fist so high
Afraid that the time for retribution and revenge is nigh
Guess it’s time someone tells them why
When our people came here we arrived prone
Packed together tightly layered bone to bone to bone
Then sold as free labor and whipped until prostrate
Working in homes and fields from state to state to state
Finding strength through faith we were able to kneel
Prayer’s power moving us to heal and heal and heal
Later we were strong enough and free enough to stoop
Tilling our own lands weeding from root to root to root
Then crouching in blocks to run at an unbeatable Olympian pace
Becoming the new gold medal standard race after race after race
Changing our gait to change the nation, courageously we have risen to march
Overcoming separation by their segregation together we march and march and march
Here we are on our feet gripping our freedom and our dignity with an outstretched hand
Why do I hold my fist so high? Because I’m holding onto God’s almighty hand
Through His power, His will be done, together we stand. We stand. We stand.
