THE BLACK FAMILY PLEDGE
written by Maya Angelou, famed poet (not related)
BECAUSE we have forgotten our ancestors, our children no longer give us honor.
BECAUSE we have lost the path our ancestors cleared kneeling in perilous undergrowth, our children cannot find their way.
BECAUSE we have banished the God of our ancestors, our children cannot pray.
BECAUSE the old wails of our ancestors have faded beyond our hearing, our children cannot hear us crying.
BECAUSE we have abandoned our wisdom of mothering and fathering, our befuddled children give birth to children they neither want nor understand.
BECAUSE we have forgotten how to love, the adversary is within our gates, and holds us up to the mirror of the world shouting, "Regard the loveless".
Therefore, we pledge to bind ourselves to one another, to embrace our lowliest, to keep company with our loneliest, to educate our illiterate, to feed our starving, to clothe our ragged, to do all good things, knowing that we are more than keepers of our brothers and sisters.
We ARE our brothers and sisters.
IN HONOR of those who toiled and implored God with golden tongues, and in gratitude to the same God who brought us out of hopeless desolation, we make this pledge.
Meaning of The Black Family Pledge by Maya Angelou
"The Black Family Pledge" by Maya Angelou is a powerful and poignant declaration that addresses the state of the African American community and underscores the importance of unity, remembrance, and love. The song sheds light on the challenges faced by the Black community due to the erasure of their history, the loss of ancestral wisdom, and the absence of love and support.
The first stanza speaks to the disconnection from ancestors and the subsequent lack of honor from the younger generation. The lyrics emphasize the significance of remembering and honoring those who came before, as they paved the way for the present.
The second stanza highlights the loss of direction and spirituality. Without the guidance and faith of their ancestors, the younger generation struggles to find their way in life and lacks the ability to connect with a higher power through prayer.
The third stanza delves into the emotional and psychological impact of neglecting the cries of the past. By ignoring the suffering and desperation of their ancestors, the current generation becomes deaf to the cries of their own community, thereby perpetuating a cycle of indifference.
The fourth stanza addresses a breakdown in familial and societal values. Without the knowledge and understanding of effective parenting and nurturing, the current generation gives birth to children they neither desire nor comprehend, leading to further instability and turmoil.
The fifth stanza focuses on the absence of love as a major underlying issue. Failing to love one another has allowed external forces, symbolized by the "adversary," to infiltrate and weaken the community. The song suggests that embracing love and compassion is crucial for reclaiming strength and unity.
The concluding stanza represents a pledge of commitment and responsibility. The community members vow to bind themselves to each other, extending support to the most vulnerable, nurturing the uneducated, providing for the impoverished, and engaging in acts of benevolence. The lyrics emphasize that they are not merely caretakers of one another but rather inseparable from one another.
Overall, "The Black Family Pledge" conveys a message of self-reflection, accountability, and the urgent need for unity within the Black community. It prompts individuals to remember their history, reclaim their power, and cultivate love and support for one another to uplift the community as a whole.