", Randall Kennedy, law professor at Harvard University. One “must not overlook,” he insisted, “the positive value in calling the Negro to a new sense of manhood, to a deep feeling of racial pride and to an audacious appreciation of his heritage.” He went on to say that a black man “must stand up amid a system that still oppresses him and develop an unassailable and majestic sense of his own value. Much has changed over the past half century. The first part of the song was arranged by Belford "Sinky" Hendricks.It was released as a two-part single which held the number-one spot on the R&B singles chart for six weeks, and peaked at number ten on the Billboard Hot 100. James Brown at Madison Square Garden in 1968. It was released as a two-part single which held the number-one spot on the R&B singles chart for six weeks, and peaked at number ten on the Billboard Hot 100. “I’ve worked on jobs with my feet and my hands, But all the work I did was for the other man, And now we demands a chance to do things for ourselves, We tired of beatin’ our head against the wall. That’s what Black History Month means—pride. Other than the refrain — “I’m black and I’m proud” — the lyrics of “Say It Loud” are wholly forgettable. ! Regardless of the pain and suffering white Americans have placed on African Americans throughout history, white people were quick to call these black protesters violent and malicious. But, alas, the need to defend blackness against derision continues. This verse demands an end to this hierarchy where white people are at the top and black people are at the bottom. This one powerful line conveys the central message of the song, pushing the music forward. It was precisely because of widespread colorism that James Brown’s anthem “Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud” posed a challenge, felt so exhilarating, and resonated so powerfully. Brother we can’t quit until we get our share”. He lauded Ronald Reagan. (imago/United Archives International) And he did not state his opinion with embarrassment. James Brown was part of that too. He must no longer be ashamed of being black.”. “Say It Loud” represents a crucial era of American history in which an oppressed group of people became empowered and successfully created major changes in this country’s corrupt system. Indeed, we luxuriated in the denigration, spending hours trading silly, recycled but revealing insults: “Yo mama so black, she blend in with the chalkboard.” “Yeah, well, yo mama so black, she sweats chocolate.”. Brown is stating what to us today seems obvious but in the 1960s needed spelling out: “we’re people.” Like how the birds and the bees are in some ways different, they are in many ways similar, and white people and black people may appear different on the outside, but on the inside, they are all still human and want the same things. "Remember, in the 1960s, the word black itself was, in many precincts, a bad word. Say It Loud - I'm Black And I'm Proud (Pts.1 & 2) - YouTube Today, the line "Say it loud: I'm black and I'm proud" may seem like a relatively straightforward message, but together these eight words conveyed a new self-confidence and assertiveness among the black community in 1968 America. Or is black life any more important than white life?' / Say it loud: I'm black and I'm proud! The final verse is straightforward and sums up the song’s message. When people join in with the chorus “I’m black and I’m proud!” and get up to dance to Brown’s funky rhythms, they too are protesting. He and I were African-American. Both parts of the single were later included on James Brown's 1968 album A Soulful Christmas and on his 1969 album sharing the title of t… Brown’s anthem poignantly reflected the psychic problem it sought to address. In his final book, “Where Do We Go From Here?,” Dr. King also embraced the reclamation of blackness. Half a century after James Brown’s proclamation, it remains imperative to assert what should have been assumed and uncontroversial all along: that black is beautiful and as worthy of pride and care and consideration as any other hue. Zoë Mitchell Twitter Producer and Studio DirectorZoë Mitchell is a Radio Boston producer and studio director. The other front, however, and a very important front was the inner struggle in black America to rehabilitate itself, reclaim itself. Instead of celebrating light skin, thin lips, and “good” (i.e., straight) hair, increasing numbers of African-Americans began valorizing dark skin, thick lips and “bad” (i.e., kinky) hair. Say It Loud: I'm Black and I'm Proud Lyrics: Uh! People secure in their status don’t feel compelled to trumpet their pride. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. As for Michelle Obama, many black people delight in the fact that she was not only an African-American first lady but a dark-skinned first lady. The conk was part of the characteristic look of “The Godfather of Soul.”. Still, that Barack Obama is not a black black man but instead an African-American of intermediate hue raises the question whether or to what extent colorism played a role in enabling his triumph. Anthem of a People...Say It LOUD...WHOever U R,Stand Proud! Kennedy writes for The New York Times that "it was precisely because of widespread colorism that James Brown’s anthem 'Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud' posed a challenge, felt so exhilarating, and resonated so powerfully. His straightened conk hairdo was part of his characteristic look.