My people are a remarkable people.

Look back at our history.

Their bravery and resilience amazes me.

Time and time again they were knocked down, and got back up.

I'd like to think this undying spirit lives in me today,

yet I can't help but to look inside myself and ask...

After toiling in slavery from dusk 'til dawn,

and 39 lashes due to "sassin,"

would I still have the strength to sing and dance?

After having my children sold away from me,

could I still believe there was a God?

And though I know he was powerless,

could I still love my Black man after he watched the Massa'

take away my daughter's innocence?

See I know I would have hated my master,

but would I have run to freedom despite the consequences,

or had the heart to smother my child to keep him from

growing up as a slave,

and still go on living, consumed with the guilt?

And I think about our first black soldiers,

like the Massachusetts 54th.

Would I be willing to fight for a country

I know didn't love me?

Risking my life just to be free,

knowing that nothing would change,

and "free" still wouldn't be for me?

My people are a remarkable people.

Look back at our history.

Their drive and pride inspires me.

See today many of us are willing to kill

for small things like money and clothes,

but would we be willing to die for

the big things like freedom and justice?

I'd like to think that undying spirit lives within me today,

yet I can't help but to question myself and ask...

Would I be able to turn the other cheek?

To march on despite water hoses, police sticks, and attack dogs?

Would I quit singing "We Shall Overcome"

once they burned down my church

or lynched my husband?

Could I really sit at a sit-in peacefully,

while being kicked at and spit on?

Or would I let my anger get the best of me?

Would I have refused to stand for a white man,

and been a hero like Miss Rosa?

Or would I have been too concerned about getting a police record?

Would I have been willing to follow Marcus

"Back to Africa" or supported Malcolm

"by any means necessary"?

See I know I would have helped the Panthers serve our

Black children breakfast,

but would I have traded my apron for a gun,

when the time to storm the state capitol had come?

Would I have really rolled with them?

I don't know, and I won't ever have to,

because they did.

My people. My people are a remarkable people.