As Abantu, as Black people, as Africans we are told many things and we have told ourselves many things. As a people there is so much, we carry on daily bases, we endure so much, we inherited heavy burdens. So much suffering and struggle mere because we are black. The mental entanglement that comes racism, colourism, discrimination, and racial inequality anywhere in the world, is like an earthquake it rocks the core and essence of humanity.
To listen to James Baldwin and Paul Weiss's HEATED Debate On Discrimination in America on The Dick Cavett Show, being ask a questions “is black getting on your way for to become a better writer?”. Or, listen to Lupita reading a letter from a girl on her acceptance speech when honored with the Best Breakthrough Performance Award at the 7th annual Black Women, you will get a sense of the experiences of black people.
The song Abantu …
Inhlupheko iyadabukisa (Suffering is sad)
Ayisifaneli njengabant’ abamnyama (It doesn't suit us like black people)
Noma sikulesimo thina (Even if we are in this situation)
Akush’ ukuthi kumele siphile kanjena (We don't have to live like this)
Kuzo jikizinto jikizinto jikizinto (Things will change, Things will change)
Ukungazithembi kuyadabukisa (Lack of confidence is sad)
Akusifaneli njengabant’ abamnyama (It doesn't suit us like black people)
Noma sikulesimo thina (Even if we are in this situation)
Akush’ ukuthi kumele siphile kanjena (We don't have to live like this)
Kuzo jikizinto jikizinto jikizinto (Things will change, Things will change)
Steve Biko said … "It becomes more necessary to see the truth as it is if you realise that the only vehicle for change are these people who have lost their personality. The first step therefore is to make the black man come to himself; to pump back life into his empty shell; to infuse him with pride and dignity, to remind him of his complicity in the crime of allowing himself to be misused and therefore letting evil reign supreme in the country of his birth." To be honest it has been hard and difficult at times for any society to deal with the damage caused by slavery, colonialism, apartheid, and nationalism.
As they say … With the right music, you either forget everything or remember everything. With Abantu, I remember the words of Poet Ben Okri …That one of the greatest gifts of human being, whether you are born in utter poverty, or born in a complete worth you have that inner strength, that capacity to turn inward and outward and discover something of your essential freedom and through that be able to take some measure of control if not over your life at least how life affects you.
Let the song carry you, kuzo jikizinto
