See, we’re on the path to raising boys into men
His father and I that is
We parent after those who fought before us
We all know of MLK, that brother who could speak mighty fine
Yet, we’ve included some others to give us foundation
Like Marcus Garvey who impacted both this country and a tiny island
Let’s not forget about Frederick Douglass who was born as a slave but died as an author
See, as a mother, I want to see my sons protected
Yet, as a father, he wants to create two undefeated black men
I guess we need to add the battles of Muhammad Ali to their paths
His father has to remind me – we’re raising boys into men
We have to include the modern heroes
I will say the name of Trayvon Martin as I fix their hoods in the morning
I will say the name of Atatiana Jefferson as we play games at night
I will preserve the legacy of those who fought willingly or unwillingly
As we navigate this path of making boys into men
We can’t forget about shaping their souls
The youngest one can rock to the rhythms of Bob Marley and sway to the voices of The Temptations
The oldest is my Malcom X in the making
My fear for him is the highest
Such a powerful speaker, such an opinionated mind, and he doesn’t even know it
I internally try to sabotage his voice
Yet, his father has to remind me – we’re raising boys into men
The times are different from the previous generation
History books will be filled with Barack and the chants of “yes we can”
Usain Bolt has made history as the fastest man alive
Yet, they won’t forget the lesson that black girls rock
Just ask Serena Williams
Our history cannot fill a textbook nor start with slavery
Our history is the foundation we need to raise boys into men
