Message
Empowering the Next Generation: Unveiling the Wisdom in Wu-Tang Clan's 'Message'
Lyrics
I have nothing but respect for our young people and what they're doing
I express profound admiration for the younger generation and their endeavors.
My thing is, we adults did not stand strong
I believe that we, as adults, failed to stand firm and resilient.
And on our square to bring our young people through this process
We didn't uphold our principles to guide the younger generation through challenges.
I know, I was the young person that had to fend for himself in the streets of New York
Having experienced fending for myself as a young person in New York, I understand the struggles.
I know what happened, with our young people
I am familiar with the difficulties faced by our young people.
I say, "Look I ain't mad at you" know no matter what I hear
I express understanding and lack of resentment towards them, regardless of what I may hear.
I know that you are moving through a process because they are attempting
I acknowledge that the younger generation is undergoing a process, facing attempts to destabilize the community.
To destroy the community so they're using you
There's a realization that external forces are exploiting and manipulating them to harm the community.
They are buying you out
They are being influenced or corrupted by external factors that are willing to pay for their allegiance.
But we as adults, get to buy them back
As responsible adults, we have the opportunity and responsibility to reclaim their allegiance.
I'm ready to compete with anybody for our young people's minds
I am prepared to compete with anyone to win the minds of our young people.
And what we have to is change the paradigm of how we're interacting with them
We need to change the way we interact with them and shift the prevailing mindset.
Deal with them from a heartfelt place where they can understand
We must engage with them sincerely, from a place of genuine understanding and empathy.
You see because whether you realize it or not, it's you they're shooting in the streets
Whether realized or not, it is the younger generation that faces danger and violence in the streets.
You, young brothers, they're the ones that are being shot
Youth, especially young men, are the primary victims of street violence.
So with this entertainment or with this music, maybe I don't like what I hear
Despite personal preferences, the entertainment and music reflect the harsh reality they face.
Maybe that I don't like some of the words I hear
There might be dislike for certain lyrics or words, but we must recognize their efforts.
Maybe that I don't like the direction
There could be disagreement with the direction, but acknowledging their efforts is crucial.
But I think they're doing a pretty good job considering that
Considering the lack of adult guidance, they are doing a commendable job.
We, as men, the adult men, did not cover that when we should've covered that
Adult men failed to provide necessary support and protection when it was most needed.
And protected them when we should've protected them
We neglected our duty to nurture and shield them during crucial moments.
And brought them up that so when we see an artist acting in a most inappropriate way
When witnessing inappropriate behavior from artists, we should question the absence of fatherly figures.
"Where is the father in this?"
We should inquire about the lack of male mentors in such situations.
"Where is that male mentor that can be there?"
Black men must accept the responsibility outlined by the honorable Elijah Muhammad.
We, as black men, must take on the responsibility
The strength of a nation is directly tied to the well-being of its weakest families.
As the honorable Elijah Muhammad told Malcolm is that
Quoting the honorable Elijah Muhammad to Malcolm, highlighting the importance of family strength.
A nation is only as strong as its weakest family
To build strong nations, we must establish solid relationships between African men and women.
And we have got to create nations
The imperative to create nations is emphasized.
We have to create relationships between the African man and the African woman
We need to foster relationships that ensure the survival of the nation.
That create survival nation
The responsibility to create a resilient and surviving nation rests on the relationships between African men and women.
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