So rough and thick
That dark and natural complexion
At one point neglected
Whipped and beaten one lash after another
Once disgusted and shunned upon
Kept dumb and locked up
How dare we be shut out and blinded
Now our children can’t come up
Wanting change
Longing to fit in
First come the perm, the diet, the bleach
Then the weave and the surgery
When will that day come
When we appreciate ourselves
Learn that journey of our people
Educate yourself
Today
The tables have turned
Our children have begun to question
Why do we live this way
Teach me to be Natural
I want to be free
When you look up, look down, look left, look right
No matter where you turn you will see me
I’m a millennium nigga
I’ll pick up that book
Listen to that freedom song
Enter that debate
I will not bow down
Martin, Malcolm, and Garvey started this fight
All their hard work
You will sit and understand my might
I’m a millennium nigga
I will embrace my heritage
My dream will become a reality
I am strong
You cannot keep me down
From this day forward you will address me as ma’am or mister
This is the respect I demand
Because I’m a millennium nigga
