Because of them we can

Is it because of Martin Luther King's dream of racial equality,

Harriet Tubman’s leadership in setting our people,

Malcolm X’s fight against the self-hatred,

Marcus Garvey's push to unite us all on one front?

Because of them we can dream.

Is it because of Maya Angelou written works that we all know the phrase “Still I Rise”, or

Madam CJ Walker’s innovative ideas as she built her empire alone?

Is it because of them we can create?

Is it because of Frederick Douglass’s powerful words that shake nations,

Is it Because of W.E.B Dubois who educated so many,

Thurgood Marshall who believed in our people, or

Rosa Parks who challenged laws and broke down boundaries?

Because of them I can stand up here right now and deliver this message.

What about Ruby Bridges and the Little Rock Nine who fought for the education we take advantage of now?

Because of them we can go to school and be successful.

Is it because of our modern leaders like Zendaya Coleman

who told the world it was ignorant of our culture,

or Colin Kaepernick who started a revolution in 2014,

or Amandla Stenberg who embraces her blackness as an actress,

And the entire cast of Black Panther for being brave in presenting a black superhero to inspire kids and teens that look like me.

Because of them we see shows with more than one black person or minority group,

Because of them we can vote,

Because of them I can choose who I want to be now,

Because of them I also inspire.