I'd encourage you to listen to the song and read through the lyrics before diving into the post.

Forever feel like we on a treadmill
Sweatin’ buckets runnin’ hard but stuck in the same spot
My God we been faithful in squalor and grief
Such a miracle our people’s stubborn hope and belief
They murder us in the street
They murder us in the pew
We show you the way of Jesus
Forgivin’ you Dylan Roofs
But still so many treat us like a stereotype
Y’all don’t wanna see the truth
It could cost you ya life
Or maybe just your position
A stain on your reputation
A smidget of inconvenience
But really only your privilege
It’s like they so afraid of power equality
But we don’t want revenge, we only wanna be free
Ain’t tryin’ to rape your daughters or throw your sons into prison
Don’t want your babies trapped in the ghetto and malnutritioned
Don’t want you to feel ugly for bein’ a different color
And neither do we want it for our sistas and our brothas

No we ain’t never marched for diamonds
And never would demand your love
Just the air to breathe
The space to be
Equality, is that too much?
No we ain’t never marched for diamonds
And never would demand your love
Just the air to breathe
The space to be
Equality, is that too much to want
Is that too much to want?
Is that too much to want?
Is that too much
that too much
Is that too much to want?

They call us lazy now
Just like the massa back in the day
And promise fewer beatings if we cower and obey
Ain’t tryin’ to get promoted from field to house slave
I wanna get out wit’ Moses on dat underground train
Done lost my way if I rise to the top of an exploitive
system unjust and corrupt
I seen what American Dreamin’ do to ya soul
Don’t let me be sedated by the power and the gold
Too many revolutionaries make a little dough
Then forget all of the people they was advocatin’ fo’
I’m livin’ in the kingdom where meek run the show
Great clean the feet of the weak and the po’
I swear we never wanted what you think we comin’ fo’
We see it isn’t workin’ so we take another road

No we ain’t never marched for diamonds
And never would demand your love
Just the air to breathe
The space to be
Equality, is that too much?
No we ain’t never marched for diamonds
And never would demand your love
Just the air to breathe
The space to be
Equality, is that too much to want
Is that too much to want?
Is that too much to want?
Is that too much
that too much
Is that too much to want?

To be silent in an age of corruption
Is to be violent towards those the system is stacked against
To be silent in an age of corruption is to be violent against myself
Which is somethin’ I will not do
I will be disruptive
I am not too loud
I am not too angry
I am not too Black
I don’t want too much
I am not too much
I am not too much
I am not too much

My people be feisty
Don’t tell us to ask nicely
Only demandin’ what belongs to us rightly
Many Whites be frontin’ like they want peace
But they just want us quiet when we murdered by police
What if we handled beef like our commander in chief
Droppin’ Tomahawk missiles on LAPD
Sent some revolutionaries to invade DC
Kill a corrupt King with his entire regime
Then counted all their babies as civilian casualties
Tell their widows that we did it in the name of peace
You only make war wit’ big bombs and guns
If you livin’ by the sword you gon’ die by one
You don’t gotta get deployed if you POC
Everybody from the hood got PTSD
Every color folk ever been the sole
representative in a classroom
At a church, at our binesses
We know how to flip a warzone to a feast
How to inhale hate
exhale with peace.

2 - Too Much?

Forever feel like we on a treadmill
Sweatin’ buckets runnin’ hard but stuck in the same spot
My God we been faithful in squalor and grief
Such a miracle our people’s stubborn hope and belief

I am often in awe of the resilience of the African American community. Concerning race relations in America, the nation often takes one step forward, two steps back. For example, the Civil War lead to the end of slavery. It seemed that black people might actually have a chance of becoming equal members of american society. During the post Civil War era known as “Reconstruction”, black people were making strides. Michelle Alexander explains in her book “The New Jim Crow”, “ African Americans began to vote in large numbers and seize control, in some areas, of the local political apparatus. Literacy rates climbed, and educated blacks began to populate legislatures, open schools, and initiate successful businesses. In 1867, at the dawn of the Reconstruction Era, no black man held political office in the South, yet three years later, at least 15 percent of all southern elected officials were black” (Alexander, 29). Sadly, these victories were short lived. Racist politicians put a screeching halt to black progress by legalizing discrimination, segregation, and stripping black people of the right to vote. This was accompanied by terrorization of black citizens through beatings and lynchings. W.E.B. Du Bois said, “the slave went free; stood a brief moment in the sun; then moved back again toward slavery.” This is not just a trend in history, but also the present.The feeling of being on a treadmill to nowhere was most recently felt when the same nation that elected their first black leader in history, President Obama, followed that by electing a racist, Trump. Yet, through all of this, we continue to have stubborn hope and faith. We keep on keepin’ on. We fight the good fight, make progress inch by inch, and are often recognized for our unexplainable ability to have hope and exuberant joy through it all.

They murder us in the street
They murder us in the pew
We show you the way of Jesus
Forgivin’ you Dylan Roofs

There is a lie that justifies the killing of black people. The lie says that black people invite, and some believe, deserve, the violence committed against them by refusing to assimilate. If only black people would conform to white american standards, stop dressing or talking or acting so “ghetto”, so “black”, then they would have more opportunities, be seen as less threatening and get killed less often. The problem is, this has never been true. If you observe photos from the Civil Rights Movement, black people were often wearing their Sunday best as they were being harassed, beaten, and discriminated against. In recent history, hate-filled americans like Dylan Roof did not target black stereotypes like gang members or dope dealers. Instead, on June 17, 2015, he went to Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston South Carolina and senselessly murdered 9 morally upright black people as they worshiped God. Hate, white supremacy, and institutional racism will “murder us in the street”, and just as quickly “murder us in the pew”. In a jaw-dropping display of love and forgiveness, family members of victims further shattered stereotypes of angry and bitter black people by publicly extending forgiveness to the remorseless Roof. Dan Simmons Jr, son of the slain Rev. Daniel Simmons Sr. said to Roof “I forgive you. I know that you don't understand that, but God requires me to forgive you. I forgive you. He also requires me to plead and pray for you, and I do that.” Felicia Sanders, whose son Tywanza was killed in the shooting said to Roof, “I forgive you. That’s the easiest thing I had to do… May God have mercy on your soul.”

But still so many treat us like a stereotype
Y’all don’t wanna see the truth
It could cost you ya life
Or maybe just your position
A stain on your reputation
A smidget of inconvenience
But really only your privilege

Despite countless examples like the loving and forgiving members of Emanuel A.M.E. Church, black people cannot seem to shake the negative stereotypes used to justify our oppression. The truth is intentionally ignored and stereotypes reinforced through many avenues of society. For those who belong to the ruling class and culture, acknowledging these injustices comes at a price. It could isolate you from your peers who deny the existence of white privilege while enjoying its comforts. It could cost you the comforts of privilege. But once your conscience is woken to these issues, it should not be a choice, but rather duty. It has often been said that the loss of privilege feels like oppression. When you are accustomed to having more than your fair share, equality feels like you’re losing something that belongs to you. Many would rather believe lies to maintain their comforts, than sacrifice their privilege in the name of truth and justice.

It’s like they so afraid of power equality
But we don’t want revenge, we only wanna be free
Ain’t tryin’ to rape your daughters or throw your sons into prison
Don’t want your babies trapped in the ghetto and malnutritioned
Don’t want you to feel ugly for bein’ a different color
And neither do we want it for our sistas and our brothas

Another reason why some privileged people are reluctant to give up their power is the fear of retaliation. If minorities gain more power, whose to say they might not try to get even for centuries of oppression? If black people truly sought revenge for all the injustices both past and present, America would be in trouble. But this has never been our aim. The black american experience is indescribably painful at times. The last thing black folks want is for others to go through what we go through. In his book “No Future Without Forgiveness”, Bishop Desmond Tutu talks about the end of Apartheid in South Africa. During the election which eventually made Nelson Mandela the president of South Africa, many white south africans were afraid of governmental power being placed back in the hands of black people. They feared white people might become the target of revenge. This was not at all the case.

The Bishop wrote,

“what a profound scientific discovery, that blacks, Coloreds (usually people of mixed race), and Indians were in fact human beings, who had the same concerns and anxieties and aspirations. They wanted a decent home, a good job, a safe environment for their families, good schools for their children, and almost none wanted to drive the whites into the sea. They just wanted their place in the sun” (Tutu,7).

Throughout all of black history, there has never been a serious movement that sought revenge, promoted the enslavement of white people, the raping of white women, lynching and mass incarceration of white men, labor discrimination and exploitation, or academic exclusion of white children. “We don’t want revenge, we only wanna be free.” Is that too much to want?

We’ve had a black president. What more do we want? Equality. Though there has definitely been progress made, we are still a long ways away from racial equality in America. Conservative media paints black activists as delusional boys who cry racism. But anyone who takes a serious look at the institutions of american society can clearly see severe inequalities between white communities and communities of color. We will not be shamed into silence, we will not be satisfied with simply facing less prejudice than past generations. Equality is not too much to ask.

They call us lazy now
Just like the massa back in the day
And promise fewer beatings if we cower and obey
Ain’t tryin’ to get promoted from field to house slave
I wanna get out wit’ Moses on dat underground train

This is an example of victim blaming and another reference to the false idea that black people need to assimilate in order to improve our conditions. Presently, the poverty in the black community is often blamed on the laziness of black people instead of institutional racism that keeps us locked out of opportunities to grow wealth. Similarly, during slavery, black people were constantly blamed for their own oppression. Masters told slaves they were lazy, inferior creatures. Their alleged laziness was used as an excuse to beat them into obedience and submission . A hard-working, obedient slave might possibly rise in the ranks of the oppressed, avoiding being whipped and be moved from hard labor in the field, to being a house slave who washed dishes or mopped floors. But the ambitious slave does not aspire to be a higher ranking slave, they aspire to be free. Similarly today, ambitious black people do not aspire to submit, obey and assimilate in hopes of being treated better by those oppressing us. We desire freedom. We desire the ability to excel without assimilating our culture or creativity. The goal is to escape the entire system, not become more comfortable in our oppression. When I rap “I wanna get out wit’ Moses on dat underground train”, I am referencing both Jewish history and black american history. According to Jewish scriptures, Moses lead the Jews out of slavery in Egypt. Because of the parallels, Moses became the nickname of Harriet Tubman, a former american slave who lead scores of runaway slaves to freedom via a network of secret safe houses known as The Underground Railroad. Don’t be a house slave. Be a runaway slave. Don’t assimilate. Escape.

Done lost my way if I rise to the top of an exploitive
system unjust and corrupt
I seen what American Dreamin’ do to ya soul
Don’t let me be sedated by the power and the gold
Too many revolutionaries make a little dough
Then forget all of the people they was advocatin’ fo’

The American Dream says that anyone who tries hard enough can make something of themselves. But many hard working people of color work tirelessly and remain in poverty. Tracy Jan of the Washington Post reported that 1 in 7 white american families are millionaires. For black families, the number is 1 in 50. It is possible for a select few people of color to rise high in various realms of american society. But this is often not without cost and compromise. Though some individuals have gained wealth while maintaining their integrity, most people, white and minorities alike will not reach such heights unless they play by the rules of the system. The system was built to produce incredible inequalities, and it does. Be it assimilation, illegal or unethical production methods, discriminatory hiring practices, sexual exploitation of women in advertisements, perpetuation of stereotypical images of people of color, there are certain decisions that will lead to greater wealth at the cost of your integrity. B.E.T. for example has produced dozens of black millionaires, but they have done so by often promoting artists and art that perpetuates negative and stereotypical depictions of black people. This wealth then becomes blood money. Many entrepreneurs and creatives of color start out with a mind to uplift their community, but are seduced by the american dream of incredible wealth available to those willing to compromise. Of course this is tempting to those who have known poverty for so long, but it is never worth it.

I’m livin’ in the kingdom where meek run the show
Great clean the feet of the weak and the po’
I swear we never wanted what you think we comin’ fo’
We see it isn’t workin’ so we take another road

Instead of being lured by dreams of wealth, I’m reminded that the Kingdom of God turns unjust societies on their head. We live in a culture where the wealthy are favored and the poor are despised, macho and arrogant personalities often become leaders and presidents while the humble are forgotten. But “I’m livin’ in the kingdom where meek run the show,” as Jesus said “the meek shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5) and the greatest people are those who serve others, and wash others’ feet, not rule over them (Matthew 20:26), (John 13:14). It is clear that the american dream has not produced good fruit, so what good does it do to strive for something proven to be rotten? “We see it isn’t working so we take another road,” namely, the narrow and troubled road leading to the kingdom of God.

No we ain’t never marched for diamonds
And never would demand your love
Just the air to breathe
The space to be
Equality, is that too much?
No we ain’t never marched for diamonds
And never would demand your love
Just the air to breathe
The space to be
Equality, is that too much to want
Is that too much to want?
Is that too much to want?
Is that too much
that too much
Is that too much to want?

To be silent in an age of corruption
Is to be violent towards those the system is stacked against
To be silent in an age of corruption is to be violent against myself
Which is somethin’ I will not do
I will be disruptive
I am not too loud
I am not too angry
I am not too Black
I don’t want too much
I am not too much
I am not too much
I am not too much

Desmond Tutu said “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” This is particularly unacceptable for me in America as I am a member of the community that America has most harshly oppressed. For me, to remain silent would be a betrayal of myself, my black community and my God.

My people be feisty
Don’t tell us to ask nicely
Only demandin’ what belongs to us rightly
Many Whites be frontin’ like they want peace
But they just want us quiet when we murdered by police
What if we handled beef like our commander in chief
Droppin’ Tomahawk missiles on LAPD
Sent some revolutionaries to invade DC
Kill a corrupt King with his entire regime
Then counted all their babies as civilian casualties
Tell their widows that we did it in the name of peace
You only make war wit’ big bombs and guns
If you livin’ by the sword you gon’ die by one
You don’t gotta get deployed if you POC
Everybody from the hood got PTSD
Every color folk ever been the sole
representative in a classroom
At a church, at our binesses
We know how to flip a warzone to a feast
How to inhale hate
exhale with peace.

Personally, I do believe that non-violent resistance to evil is the most faithful Christian approach to combating oppression, but from a non-religious sociological perspective, and a nation that believes in the separation of church and state, it is within reason and morality for oppressed people groups to use force in their quest for freedom. White america’s stance on violence is unbelievably hypocritical. America celebrates the violent colonists who rebelled against the British empire when they felt their freedoms were being infringed upon. Revolutionary War generals are seen as heroes. Currently, America considers itself the global defenders of freedom and will fire missiles, drop bombs, and send troops to any people or regime they believe poses a threat to America’s freedom. Domestically, american criminals can receive the death penalty for crimes. In so many instances, violent resistance to injustice is celebrated, except when communities of color resist the injustice we face at the hands of the american government and police departments. Overwhelmingly so, black resistance movements have been non violent and peaceful, but are often painted otherwise. Protests are condemned as riots and looked upon with disgust. Protestors are called vandals, thugs, looters, even if the vast majority of them are protesting peacefully. American public education offers a very curated version of black history, emphasizing a narrative that protects those in power. In his book “Between The World and Me”, Ta-Nehisi Coates writes,

“Every February my classmates and I were herded into assemblies for a ritual review of the Civil Rights Movement… The month could not pass without a series of films dedicated to the glories of being beaten on camera. The black people in these films seemed to love the worst things in life- love the dogs that rent their children apart, the tear gas that clawed at their lungs, the fire-hoses that tore off their clothes and tumbled them into the streets. They seemed to love the men who raped them , the women who cursed them, love the children who spat on them, the terrorists that bombed them. Why are they showing this to us? Why were only [black people’s] heroes nonviolent? I speak not of the morality of nonviolence, but of the sense that blacks are in especial need of this morality” (Coates, 32).

American education celebrates the violent victories of white people who fought for their freedom in the face of significantly less oppression (Revolutionary War), but emphasizes the necessity of black Americans to remain non violent in every circumstance, no matter how severe our oppression is (slavery, lynching, segregation, murderous police). In the last verse of “Too Much?” I ponder, what would happen if black folks acted like our predominately white-male-run government acts? “What if we handled beef like our commander in chief?” What if we shot, bombed and attacked every institution that has and continues to oppress us? From a non religious perspective, we would be quite justified, but it wouldn’t be a nation I want to live in. This verse is not a threat as much as it is a mirror. Black people are not asking for too much. We are asking America to simply treat us like humans.

Grace and Peace,

Micah

2 - Too Much?

Chris Cambell