Who Gon’ Stop Us?
written by Hodari Davis, adapted from Kanye West and Jay Z (Watch the Throne)
YGB making history,
No MC can get with thee,
YOUNG, GIFTED, BLACK, LIFTED
Teaching is our destiny,
Unlocking the mystery,
TRUTH, JUSTICE,
WE ARE YGB – C'MON!
BLACK BOY
BLACK GIRL
BLACK COMMUNITY
BLACK WORLD
BLACK POWER
BLACK PRIDE
BLACK FIST
YOU KNOW WHAT THAT'S FOR
This is something for the Holocaust (THE HOLOCAUST, AYY)
Millions of our people lost (MILLIONS)
Raise your fist and represent the past (REPRESENT)
'Til I die I'ma be a force - NOW
Who gon' stop us – who gon' stop us, HUH?
Who gon' stop us – who gon' stop us, HUH?
BLACK BOY
BLACK GIRL
BLACK COMMUNITY
BLACK WORLD
BLACK POWER
BLACK PRIDE
BLACK FIST
YOU KNOW WHAT THAT'S FOR
We beating odds, teaching heads
Wouldn't be wise to bet against the kids
Learned no matter what you did
Found the knowledge that you hid
In books everything you took
Distracted us, didn't think we'd look
Now we found what we meant to see
Learning our Black history
Become heroes and speak the words
Remember the lessons that we heard
YOUNG, GIFTED, BLACK, LIFTED
Throw your fist high in the air
Pump three times like you have no fear
PRIDE, POWER, WE ARE YGB – C'MON
BLACK BOY
BLACK GIRL
BLACK COMMUNITY
BLACK WORLD
BLACK POWER
BLACK PRIDE
BLACK FIST
YOU KNOW WHAT THAT'S FOR………….
This song is based on another written by Jay Z and Kanye West on their album Watch the Throne called “Who Gon’Stop Me?”. In their song, Blackness is not referred to in this context but rather in relation to drugs, riches, and guns. It is important to note that this album was an expression of Black Capitalism and signaled the emergence of a new blackness that had transcended money, wealth, fame and even nationality. It was an affirmation of a new Black identity attached to Black capitalist fantasies all rapped up in the unique talent and gravitas of two of the most popular artists of their time.
Cut this as Kanye comes in during his verse. Its the clean version and still not appropriate for kids. lol
Some inappropriate imagery, but a lot of information about dude that is clean.
This song mentions a holocaust and relates that word and that experience to Black people. A holocaust is a horrible event in history that costs many many lives. The common example used to illustrate this word is usually the actions of Nazis and White Supremists during WWII who killed many Jewish people. However in the United States, and in the “Americas” several holocausts have happened including the extermination of the indigenous people of this land aka the Indians. Another holocaust was the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
This video illustrates and defines the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade, and tells the story of how so many African people and their descendants came to be in the Americas.
This is a visualization of the many slave ships that left the shores of Africa and brought back captive Africans to the Americas, including the United States. It is a great illustration that covers centuries of history.
An important way to understand history is to hear the words and voices of the people who make it. This includes our heroes and Sheroes, but also includes those who suffered through the worst of our history. If we want to know more about what it felt like to be enslaved and what America was before the emancipation of our ancestors, it can be powerful to hear the words of those who lived as enslaved people. It is important to remember none of these people are or ever were “slaves”, they were people who were held captive against their will, forced to work by being coerced through terror, intimidation, violence and dehumanization. Slavery was meant to rob us of our humanity, and reduce our ancestors to things that can be bought and sold.
First person testimony from African people who had been enslaved in the United States. These are actual people sharing their memories of being enslaved.
When we mention the Black Fist and tell people “you know what that’s for”, … we better know what that’s for. The Black Fist reference is a shout out to Tommy Smith and John Carlos from the 1968 Olympics in Mexico, who put their fist up for freedom and justice after winning the Gold and Silver medals.
First hand account of the moment in 1968 when Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fist for Human Rights for Black and poor people.
The origins of the Black Fist as a symbol of resistance.
Color footage of the race they won, and of their stance on the podium. This entire video is in Italian, demonstrating the global importance of what Tommie Smith and John Carlos accomplished.
Other important figures to YGB and to Black History have talked about the importance of Blackness, Black identity and Black love including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Nina Simone.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. talking about how important Black pride is in the freedom of African American people.
Nina Simone author of To be Young Gifted and Black from which we get our name, defines why Blackness is important and captures the essence of what YGB is all about.
How do these videos make you feel?
What does Dr. King say about pride for Black people?
So you believe Black is Beautiful?
What do you think Nina Simone means when she says “blackness”?
Blackness has been turned into a negative in the English language, especially that spoken in the United States. Things that are associated with the word “Black” like black mail, black cat, black list are all negatives, while things associated with the color white are often positive. This scene from the 1992 film Malcolm X reveals some of what this means for Black people in the United States.
It is important to remember how African American people have used this word “Blackness” as a tool of pan africanism, and a s a tool of Black unity. X Clan exhibits this in the song below.
Video where Malcolm X learns to see how institutional Racism is embedded in the American Dictionary. How words have been used as tools to enslave Black peoples minds. The scene also illustrates how Malcolm X came to be so good with words by studying the dictionary.
This song is Beyonce’s tribute to Brown Skinned Girls
In this video X-Clan carries the Black vibe YGB is expressing in their stance.
What did you notice about the definitions of “Black” and “White” in the dictionary?
How does this make you feel?
Do you believe in the definitions? Where do you think they come from?
Malcolm X talking about Black Pride and Identity. What he means when he speaks about Black people.
Spoken Word piece about what is not taught in school, especially about Black History.