DO YOU
REALLY KNOW MALCOLM X? Words by Phil Morrison Music by Lekan(c)1992 Do you really know Malcolm? El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz Do You really know Malcolm? El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz Everywhere you go you see Malcolm on display In Atlanta or Dallas, from New York to L.A. His photos on a T-shirt, and you'll always see an "X" But unless you know his message it's just a pretext Do you really know Malcolm with his name on your clothe Or is it just a fashion thing that comes & goes Do you really know Malcolm or is his name just a word? Same as others we've ignored like Coltrane & Bird Do you really know Malcolm how he talked on economics? And instead of knowin' dope we should know electronics Do you really know Malcolm how he turned his life around So no matter your condition, no one can keep you down! Do you really know Malcolm, do you know his religion? How it changed his life around when he found it in prison Do you know what Malcolm said about drugs & alchohol? 'cause if you're messin' up you don't know him at all! We can't forget our heroes & the people we admire...but Do you really know Malcolm & why he was on fire? When cities were decaying from racist neglect Malcolm told us things we should never forget! Like when the coffee's black, you know it's strong And he'd tell you in a minute when you're doin' wrong Develop your potential 'cause there's no limitation And a good way to start is to get an education "By any means necessary" he would say To defend our people from the KKK! But violence for Malcolm was not his game His weapon of choice was using the brain It wasn't enough just to talk that talk Cause Malcolm wasn't jivin'..he was walkin' the walk His message was for unity & don't depend on others "Do for self, my sisters & brothers!" He would tell us straight up about moral decline It's not our culture to be dealing in crime "Rise up my people" you would hear him say "Respect the community, don't go astray" Do you really know Malcolm when his movie's in style? As if the message that he gave was only for a child Do you really know Malcolm, how he lived his life Using self-discipline and lots of sacrifice Do you really know Malcom with his dignity? When you curse your mom & grab your crotch for all the world to see Do you really know Malcolm, wanna further his cause? Learn about his values . don't be breakin' the laws He'd shake up some people 'cause what he said was no joke Check out his speeches & the books he wrote But with all oppressed peoples he could surely relate Then go up to Harvard and win a debate The message he gave was mainly for us We gotta help one another & that's a must But helpin' don't come with drugs & a gun Or gang-bangin' on a brother just for some fun Let's remember Malcolm, keep his name on your lips That "X" on your cap means you got to commit If we acted like we knew what brother Malcolm said We wouldn't kill each other..we'd unify instead It ain't about slogans & walkin' round bad Cause Malcolm was for real not just a fad We gotta do him proud if we're gonna use his name Cause some things that we're doin' would bring the brother shame It takes a lot of heart in order to survive If it wasn't for our spirit, we wouldn't be alive Cause we're a noble people still strugglin' to be free We came from kings & queens..check out our history We should know by now there's nothing we can't do Survival & pride has always brought us through Just turn what you're doing in a positive direction That's the surest way to make the Malcolm connection Do you really know Malcom, that he was a family man And a model for our young to be the best that they can Do you really know Malcolm, how he traveled 'round the world And he cared for all people, every boy every girl Do you really know Malcolm at the Audubon Hall? Where he sacrificed his life to give a wakeup call Do you really know Malcolm, why his cause was just? Let's respect our proud brother..he respected us! For those who hear his name & say he stood for hate Check him out just one more time - it's still not too late Cause Malcolm was a man of peace & justice was his goal You'll find he wanted harmony when all the truth is told If you're really into Malcolm, & that's what you say Learn all about the brother, don't go halfway! Cause learnin' all you can, no matter what you find Is what Malcom was about....developing the mind! This piece is dedicated to Malcolm's friend
"Shorty", |
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