Lift Every Voice

To my Brothas, Sistas, and those who stand with us —

Black History Month is not just a Black holiday. It is an American celebration. It is a time to recognize that the contributions, struggles, and triumphs of Black Americans are woven into the very fabric of this country. Our history is American history, and this month belongs to us all.

Yet, as we step into this February, we do so in the face of renewed challenges. The early days of the Trump administration have brought attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. There have been executive orders aimed at undermining government grants, tariffs that disrupt economic stability, and threats of furloughs targeting federal workers — many of whom are Black. These actions are not just policy decisions; they are reflections of a deeper attempt to push us back. But history has shown us that no matter how many times they try, we keep moving forward.

The Power of Song: “Lift Every Voice and Sing”

Throughout our history, music has been both a refuge and a rallying cry. “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often called the Black National Anthem, is more than just a song — it is a story of endurance, faith, and victory. Every verse carries the weight of our history and the promise of our future. That is why we must always sing it in full.

Verse One: The Celebration of Freedom

Lift every voice and sing, Till earth and heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of liberty; Let our rejoicing rise, High as the listening skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling sea. Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us, Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us; Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, Let us march on till victory is won.

This first verse calls us to lift our voices in celebration. It is a declaration that no matter the forces that seek to silence us, our joy, our stories, and our contributions to this nation will not be diminished. Singing is resistance. It is an affirmation that we belong here and will always take fight for justice.

Verse Two: Honoring the Struggle

Stony the road we trod, Bitter the chastening rod, Felt in the days when hope unborn had died; Yet with a steady beat, Have not our weary feet, Come to the place for which our fathers sighed? We have come over a way that with tears has been watered. We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered, Out from the gloomy past, Till now we stand at last, Where the white gleam of our right star is cast.

This verse forces us to remember. The road to justice has been rough, paved with the struggles of those who came before us. From the shackles of slavery to the foot soldiers of the Civil Rights Movement, our ancestors pressed forward even when the road seemed impossible to walk. Today, we are still marching. The dismantling of DEI efforts, the economic policies that disproportionately affect us, and the systemic barriers we face are modern-day obstacles. But our history teaches us resilience. We have come too far to turn back now.

Verse Three: A Prayer for Guidance and Strength

God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way; Thou who hast by Thy might, Led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray. Lest our feet stray from the places our God, where we met Thee, Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee; Shadowed beneath Thy hand, May we forever stand, True to our God, True to our native land.

This final verse is both a reflection and a call for divine guidance. It acknowledges the pain of our past while reminding us that we have been sustained by something greater. It is a plea for continued strength as we fight new battles, and a commitment to remain steadfast in our pursuit of justice, equity, and dignity.

Hope is Eternal

Black History Month is not just about looking back; it is about forging ahead. It is a reminder that our history is America’s history, our progress is America’s progress, and our future is bound to the future of this nation. Every policy, every struggle, every victory is part of a larger fight for the soul of this country.

So to my Brothas, Sistas, and all who walk with us: keep moving; Keep building; Keep resisting; and most importantly, keep hoping. Because as history has shown us time and again, we are unstoppable.

“If you know whence you came, there are absolutely no limitations to where you can go.” — James Baldwin

#LiftEveryVoice #BlackHistoryIsAmericanHistory #HopeEternal #CelebrationForAll #ResistAndPersist