Protest Song - Say it loud ( I'm black and I'm proud)

This song is addressing the social injustice of racism. James Brown took and approach to this song as encouragement for African Americans. In this song, he says to say “I’m black, and I’m proud” encouraging African Americans to be proud of who they are and where they come from. Brown then continues the song with everything they have gone through. Here he is continuing to encourage them in the sense they have gone through so much that they have to keep trying until they get what they want.  This was demonstrated in the line saying “but I say we won't quit moving until we get what we deserve.”  Brown then describes how they have been treated due to racism and how they are referred to as “just bones.” He also mentions in the song that they have been working hard, but only for another man. This song coming out during the time of racism gave encouragement and confidence. Another issue during this time period was voting rights, which leads to the symbolism he has in his song. The line "we'd rather die on our feet, than be living on our knees," refers to a new realization that voting rights alone wouldn't create true equality when so many African Americans would continues to live in poverty. Another interpretation is that they would rather die standing, as in strong than die working for someone else. I say this because when he says we would rather die on our feet I interpret it as we would rather die when they’re still standing, meaning healthy. When he continues to say “than be living on our knees” I see it as in living miserably, and having to be on their knees begging. This suggests for African Americans to become more economically self sufficient. I chose this song because it is such a strong and big issue in America. Racism continues to exist to a certain extent. It is not as obvious anymore in America but it still exists, for example, stereotypes. One assumes many things based on a person’s race, when in reality a person is very different on this inside that what they may seem on the outside, racism continues affecting many in America today.

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