Juneteenth

Oh - yea! Do you know the story of Juneteenth? When the enslaved found out that they were free Two years after 1863 The Emancipation Proclamation Freedom What does it mean to be free? Are you born with it? Is it God given? Or is there a cost to be FREE The constitution said We were three fifths human How can it be Democracy Built on stolen land Freedom is a right, not a privilege YUP! Freedom from false restriction YUP! Skin color Birthplace Respect the ways we're all different YUP! Let's take it back bout 100 years Quick - let me paint this picture America in a civil war No Marvel movie, this history! President Lincoln had a plan to end slavery only in the south But Black folks when they heard about it Started spreading that word of mouth Picked up arms and joined the Union To fight for their own freedom The colored troops help win the war Gave that proclamation new meaning YUP! Whoo! You betta believe it! Do you know the story of Juneteenth? When the enslaved found out that they were free Two years after 1863 The Emancipation Proclamation Justice When have we seen it and known it? Who are the ones who have grown it? Took it from notion to showin whats - JUST Let's talk about soldiers who were free Risking their lives for people like me All the Kinfolk they may never know Took a lead that we all could follow Followin' the call for What? Justice Bigger than land it was for the enslaved When you think about this Proclamation The emancipation is knowing that WE were the brave 200 thousand soldiers organizing Women and children home strategizing Paper protests Learned to address The power of truth and a culture uprising Do you know the story of Juneteenth? When the enslaved found out that they were free Two years after 1863 The Emancipation Proclamation Can't stop that joy! Freedom is not individual, its collective Can't stop that joy! Freedom is not individual, its collective R-E-S-P-E-C-T Freedom is not individual, its collective Freedom is not individual When you think about Juneteenth Remember how we freed ourselves How we stayed prepared We will prevail, cuz we tippin scales, closing all the jails And we will not fail! You believe You dream You move You serve For those who've past For our culture No one left behind We can be sure We stand We rise We on that joy ride We stand We rise We on that joy ride We stand - we stand We rise - we rise We on that joy ride - we on that joy ride Ayyyy! Now you know the story of Juneteenth When the last enslaved knew that they were free We led ourselves to victory Victory! Victory!