From a youth I was persecuted because I wanted to learn to read books;
whipped for the desire to feed my brain,
beat for tricking the master's son into teaching me the alphabet,
and sentenced to banishment from my family
for not being subordinate;
However,
through all these trails and tribulations
I remain faithful to the ALL HIGH;
Even though
for educating myself they've robbed me of my sight,
but
I have not lost my vision;
As I read about M.L.K
a new dream has risen!
Black, Brown, and White united,
the power of numbers is so much stronger;
take control of our communities
build up our area of living so our children
can grow up without visions of prison;
where we can combine to inspire a people
to Rise above sea level,