Listen To Each Other Now — Honoring Dr. Josie Johnson (unpublished)

Emancipation, slavery.
Let me tell you what that means.
My ancestors go back far.
Always be proud of who you are.

Separate churches, separate schools.
Could not swim in the public pool,
until Dr. Martin Luther King
made those bells of freedom ring.

Don’t let no one reduce you to
their level, I’m telling you.
Listen to each other now.

My great grandfather was enslaved,
who I knew at an early age.
It was not that long ago
when men like him were bought and sold.

Though denied opportunity,
my people strongly believed
in building schools, so we could learn
from each of them these words I heard.

Don’t let no one reduce you to
their level, I’m telling you.
Listen to each other now.

For now is the time for love

Don’t get angry.
Hold your head up high.
Respect yourself.
Though some may try
to pull you down.
It can’t be done.
From a proud people
we do come.

Equal education, opportunity,
Equal employment, joy security,
Equal housing, honor diversity
on this road of equity.
Don’t let no one reduce you to
their level, I’m telling you.
Listen to each other now.

Couldn’t try on clothes in department stores,
Nor rent costumes, though we could afford,
until Bayard Rustin and countless blacks
gave us the courage to not step back.
Like my father who studied law,
my grandmother so very strong,
upon their shoulders I do stand.
The time is now to lend a hand.

Don’t let no one reduce you to
their level, I’m telling you.
Listen to each other now.

Words & music by Larry Long
Copyright Larry Long 2014 | BMI

*Lyrics collectively written with students from Emerson Spanish Immersion Learning Center Elementary School in Minneapolis through Elders’ Wisdom, Children’s Song. Inspired by Dr. Josie R. Johnson.

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