A journey begins with the FIRST step. I Am the FIRST person - can't have We without Me. We never do anything without Me. If I am not doing it, we aren't. I am the one to get the ball rolling. ME + YOU = WE. I am the One I am waiting for. #sophic ~Kwasi https://twitter.com/theblacklist/status/681446163887820800
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AND NOW A MESSAGE FROM MICHAEL jACKSON:
Man in the Mirror
I'm gonna make a change
For once in my life
It's gonna feel real good
Gonna make a difference
Gonna make it right
As I, turn up the collar on
My favorite winter coat
This wind is blowing my mind
I see the kids in the streets
With not enough to eat
Who am I to be blind?
Pretending not to see their needs
A summer disregard, a broken bottle top
And a one man soul
They follow each other on the wind ya' know
'Cause they got nowhere to go
That's why I want you to know
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change
I've been a victim of a selfish kind of love
It's time that I realize
That there are some with no home, not a nickel to loan
Could it be really me, pretending that they're not alone?
A willow deeply scarred, somebody's broken heart
And a washed-out dream
They follow the pattern of the wind ya' see
'Cause they got no place to be
That's why I'm starting with me
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make that
Change!
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
(Oh yeah!)
I'm asking him to change his ways
(Better change!)
No message could have been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make the change)
You gotta get it right, while you got the time
You can't close your, your mind!
(Then you close your, mind!)
That man, that man, that man, that man
With the man in the mirror
(Man in the mirror, oh yeah!)
That man, that man, that man
I'm asking him to change his ways
(Better change!)
No message could have been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make the change
Oh no, no no
I'm gonna make a change
It's gonna feel real good!
Chime on!
(Change)
Just lift yourself
You know
You've got to stop it
Yourself!
(Yeah! Make that change!)
I've got to make that change, today!
Hoo!
(Man in the mirror)
You got to
You got to not let yourself
Brother
Hoo!
(Yeah! Make that change!)
You know, I've got to get
That man, that man
(Man in the mirror)
You've got to move! Chime on!
Chime on!
You got to
Stand up! Stand up! Stand up!
(Yeah! Make that change)
Stand up and lift yourself, now!
(Man in the mirror)
You know it!
You know it!
You know it!
You know it
(Change)
Make that change
~
Songwriters: BALLARD, GLEN / GARRETT, SIEDAH
© Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
For non-commercial use only.
Data From: LyricFind
There THEY were.
Then I joined Them.
AND NOW, HERE WE ARE.
It is that simple - there is no We without I.
You are the one you are waiting for - Rosa Parks was not the one the movement was waiting for, Rosa Parks was the one Rosa Parks was waiting for.
Most people are waiting for US to stand up.
But who dares to be the FIRST PERSON, I.
i wanted to share a piece of an essay my english professor C. L. McInnis to dramatize to realness of WEB DuBois' essay An American, a Negro... two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder." i say it applies 'cause somethings the fight We are having isn't between the our Black & white souls, but our African versus american souls based on cultural orientation.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, REMEMBER OUR STRUGGLE CONTINUES!
A few months later I read Maulana Karenga’s “Black Art: Mute Matter Given Force and Function.” I love every part of the essay except his distinction between individuality and personality, in which he states “…individualism is a luxury that we cannot afford, moreover, individualism is, in effect, non-existent…Individuality by definition is ‘me’ in spite of everyone, and personality is ‘me’ in relation to everyone.” I knew who Professor Karenga was, mostly because my father acknowledged the Nguzo Saba, even if we never really had a formalized Kwanzaa Celebration. We never lit any candles, but we sho’ did discuss dem seven principles, again and again and again… Even though I had great respect for Karenga, I just couldn’t abide his definition of individuality. I still don’t. And, I don’t apologize for that. I’d much rather be a critically thinking individual than a member of a mindless mesh of fools. To be clear, nothing about Professor Karenga promotes an African person becoming a member of a mindless mesh of fools, but I’m always suspicious of anything that finds issue with individualism.
I agree with you about individuality. There is a big difference between individuality and individualism. Individualism is selfish. Individuality is the recognition of our uniqueness, and is essential for personal and spiritual growth and development.
As Black people, we need unity, without a doubt. But too often, in our communities, we place an emphasis on conformity, fitting in. Conformity is not unity and is the enemy of individuality.
"FIRST, to thine ownself be to and thou canst be false to no man", Marcus Garvey.
Thanks for this. We are always waiting for "him", "her" or "them" to bring about positive change. But really, it starts with self. Positive change always begins with self. And together, we are so much stronger.