Literacy is illegal
because literacy forms
thoughts, opinions, ideas.
If you can read you can write
And if you can read and write
You can read and write your way to freedom
Freeman the Free Man.
Knowledge is illegal
Because knowledge leads to wisdom
And wisdom leads to power.
Family is illegal
Because family leads to unity
And unity leads to together
Voices are illegal
Because a voice shares opinion
And a voice sways the mind.
Man and womanhood is illegal
Because man and womanhood leads to dignity
And dignity leads to independence.
Peace is illegal
Because violence leads to chaos
And chaos keeps y’all running with your heads cut off.
Love is illegal
Because love brings people together
And bringing together means group power.
Freedom is illegal
Because freedom leads to You
and your sense of self
And who do you think you are,
black man?
