IKR!

I couldn't agree more!

absolute chills!!

I agree with you in 2022

I'm ALWAYS MOVED by these talented ladies. We have a long way to go - I'm up for the trek and doing what I can to encourage everyone towards an anti-racist position and inclusive beliefs and behaviors.

I agree in 2023. Now we've lost beautiful presence of Tyre NIchols on this earth. But we carry him and so many precious others in our hearts and we cannot rest until freedom comes.

That's Ysaye Barnwell. She is a musician without equal.

Little Fact: When Ysaye Joined the group in 1979, Bernice want her to sing and sign at the same time, and Ysaye say something like “I can’t do both sing and sign at the same time it’s too crazy” that’s when Ysaye invited her friend Shirley Childress Saxton in 1980, and she sign the group until her death in 2017.

We whites have been silent for too long. That will change - first with me! Thanks so much for your words of truth!

@@juliemiller548 Count me in and on your side - side-by-side!

Listening in January 2024 and boo hoo crying.

I am grateful as well! 💙

Thank you for this context. I've loved this song for years without knowing its namesake.

lynn hopkins Thanks for the backstory, Lynn.

Thanks for the info; wasn't aware. Blessed be.

lynn hopkins thank you for the backstory. I have found myself humming and singing this song to comfort and center myself this weekend after the violent death of young black man George Floyd this week. Just today I learned about Ella Baker and the full story. 🙏🏽

That's so cool 🤎🎶

@cparker2454 Thank you for acknowledging- recognizing Ms Ella' Baker and her restlessness work, although she WASN'T rightful ACKNOWLEDGED in the history books. 🎉❤!

hmmm, Human perceptions stem from experiences. We do our best and when we learn better, we do better. I can attest to being raised by racist bigots. and they didn't limit themselves to just 'black people. Yet, because others came into my life with different belief systems, later, in my teens, I rejected those beliefs and participated in civil rights movement,, which also included the woman's movement as well as the LGBT movement. I'm old now and very sick , else I'd be out there doing my thing, but instead here I am, doing my part. Yes, I have some personal 'hate crime stories I could share, but won't! Current events, actions that seem to divide us further apart then to unite us like before disturbs my 'inner activist, and I worry about our future generations....just as MLK dedicated his life to speak up for. I do believe our youth are facing a difficult road and need to rise up. They definitely need to be encouraged- So here is a seed I will drop...If someone started a conversation with you, and you disagreed with what they believed yet, lets say you wanted to try to see if you could influence (say give them new information) them to alter their viewpoint. Yet as soon as they realized you didnt both agree, they abruptly began attacking your CHARACTER (labeling or name calling), instead of disagreeing with what you presented to them as your personal opinion or belief, what do you think would be the likelihood that you would remain open-minded and give reasonable thought to whatever they said? Sure, I wholeheartedly agree that you have every right to your opinion and beliefs... I also happen to believe with Cesareo's post (the one you responded to). And Yes, sometimes it infuriates me to no end some of what goes on. However, in my history of activism, I've made lots of mistakes out of anger... changing someone else's beliefs, CANNOT be forced. Hate leads to Violence, and violence isnt just physical...Although it can lead up to it very quickly when passions run deep and people don't 'act responsibly. Promoting the 'US against THEM' doesn't work . We MUST Rise Above our animalistic rage. And yes, stand in our beliefs!!! I've learned my greatest opportunity to influence another to change their mind is in 'one on one, respectful conversation. I cannot do that unless I myself am practicing self control.and am committed in refusing to contribute to breeding more HATE and Violence myself. Lastly, I definitely feel honored and privileged to have personally experienced .these talented artist back when... and many others like them, who dedicated their careers to 'point out' many dark injustices- yet in doing so, they encouraged unity, not hate or separatism. Sad times here. By no means am I suggesting you believe whatever, however, if my writing this trigger's your inner activist, and I don't know if it will, but I do believe in the saying .... let it start with me!!! Then, I've planted a seed. A seed of hope! Peace & blessings.... We MUST rise above!!! Maya, (Angelou) We do miss your wisdom so much!!!

Cesareo Perez But a black lives matter activist telling kill all the white babies is Racist, never compare BLM to the civil rights movement, MLK is where it is really at, and the boy who was just shot 20 times, God rest on his soul, that brought me to tears, but BLM as a whole is no better than the KKK, I support the civil rights movement and equal rights, not supremacy over any race

Thank you for writing what I was too lazy and incoherent to. As someone else (below) has expounded, anyone threatened by that is too stupid for words. Or, unfortunately, is deliberately being obtuse. As a privileged, white, Christian male, I am ashamed of my coreligionists who miss the point of the BLM movement.

That's where you're wrong, though. It isn't interpreted to mean "only black lives matter." It's the insinuation that people think black lives DON'T matter. And god damn, can we not just enjoy this music without some stupid political bullshit?

@@joshuabrown3654 You don't need slogans to *know* (not "insinuate") that many Americans don't believe that black lives matter. Anybody who doesn't know this by now must have been living in a cave alone for the past several decades.

Dopealiciousangel E me too Sis

I WAS LOOKING FOR HER IN 2024. SIGH.

we must remain vigilant. Thanks for your passion and activism

Ame My Brother;;; We Cannot Rest...

But all lives matter, sir/Ma'am. Equality means everyone's death is equally important. By saying Black Lives matter, you're essentially saying no one's life matters if they aren't black. I mean, lets face it, Black people aren't the only ones being segregated. Do they matter? Absolutely. But, they matter just as much as everyone else.

+Alex R Yis'real are the Most High's chosen people. They are what matters most to Him. Take it up with Him, He's in charge.

Dear Alex, I believe your heart is in the right place. Just wanted to say that the phrase "black lives matter" arose in the context of a world where black lives have been statistically proven to be especially targeted for elimination. It is in no way a comment on other lives. We understand that ALL lives matter, of course, but as a society, we act as if black lives did NOT matter. I am an 89 year old white ally of this important movement, because I have seen the problem grow larger all my life. It is important to realize that giving anything, from cookies to civil rights, to one person does not translate into taking it from someone else. Remember the loaves and fishes?? There is always enough to go around, but someone or some institution is holding onto too much. Thank you for your concern, and your value of human life. Your mama taught you well.

I hope in the past 6 months, you've had enough time to think about this. "Until the killing of black men, black mothers' sons, become AS IMPORTANT as the killing of white men, white mothers' sons, we who believe in freedom cannot rest." There are a small group of people who think black people are more important but that has never been the big message from the majority. My son's life is important. You're not less important to the world but I need the whole world to understand he is not less important either.

Alex, that is not what "Black Lives Matter!" means. Before one makes a judgement one should know the facts.

Lmao literally searched this up after part 5

@@deezyvisuals looks like part 5 is the last part… shit was deep.

Most truthful and poetic comment I've ever read. Amen and Amen, Kenamasun!