Namesake
Resist and Rise: Brother Ali's Anthem of Identity and Dignity
Lyrics
I am somebody
I assert my individuality and importance.
And we am and she am and he am and I am
Emphasizing the collective identity of various individuals, including myself.
Somebody
Reiteration of individual significance.
I was raised with the raised fist
Refers to a symbolic gesture of resistance, influenced by Angela Davis and the 1968 Olympics.
Angela Davis summer sixty-eight Olympics
Specific reference to Angela Davis and the political climate of 1968.
Train banging your wings against
Metaphorically describes the struggle against confinement or oppression.
The cage in the event you became cageless
Implies the hope of liberation if one becomes free from constraints.
The bane of my existence is to resist
Expresses the constant challenge of resisting adversity.
Back never bent re-load never relent
Commitment to resilience and never giving in.
Of All lights shone I’m glimmering glint
Amidst challenges, the narrator remains a shining presence.
I was named after a king in our mist The Greatest
Personal connection to a kingly figure named "The Greatest."
Changed the world in the ring with his fists
Acknowledges the impact of the king in changing the world.
More so with the gift when rang from his lips
Highlights the power of words from the king's lips.
Bigger than just a individual gift
Stresses the broader significance beyond individual talents.
He had a vision for bringing dignity to the crib
The king aimed to bring dignity to his community.
Gold medalist in his Olympic event
Recognition of the king's Olympic achievements.
Significant respect glistening off his neck
Describes the respect and admiration for the king's accomplishments.
US flag waved the globe was silent
Symbolizes global silence and acknowledgment of the king's greatness.
Wore it everywhere he went just to show what it meant
Wearing the US flag represents pride and identity.
Stepped off the plane back on that pavement
Returning to the harsh reality after the king's triumphant return.
The people hell bent that they will never repent
Despite celebrations, challenges persist for the king's kin.
Celebrate him but his kin still clinched in a
Recognition of the ongoing struggles despite celebrating the king.
Problem one piece of medal couldn't fix
A single medal cannot solve the deep-rooted problems.
Legend is he pitched it in the Ohio River
Legend of the king discarding his medal in the Ohio River, questioning the value of recognition.
What good is recognition if I know that I’m a -victim
The narrator questions the worth of recognition if they remain a victim.
Expelled in a held back curriculum
Exclusion from the standard curriculum and the struggle as a second-class citizen.
Class president slash second class citizen
Reference to facing challenges as a class president and second-class citizen.
Diligent to fight for people
The commitment to diligently fight for the people.
Nineteen years old sacrificed his ego
Highlighting the sacrifices made at a young age for the greater good.
So here we go salute my namesake
A call to honor and recognize the narrator's namesake.
Many are successful very few are great
Emphasizes that greatness is rare and not synonymous with success.
Right on y’all. I am somebody
A reaffirmation of individuality and significance.
And we am and she am and he am and I am
Reiterating the collective identity of various individuals, including the narrator.
Somebody
Final affirmation of individual significance.
I am he am she am and we am
Collective acknowledgment of individual identities.
Somebody
Reiteration of the importance of each individual.
Comment