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Baba Got BARS vol IV

by Baba Bomani

FDWC exclusive
1.
Very soon after I went to live with Mr. and Mrs. Auld, she very kindly commenced to teach me the A, B, C. After I had learned this, she assisted me in learning to spell words of three or four letters. Just at this point of my progress, Mr. Auld found out what was going on, and at once forbade Mrs. Auld to instruct me further, telling her, among other things, that it was unlawful, as well as unsafe, to teach a slave to read. To use his own words, further, he said, “If you give a nigger an inch, he will take an ell. A nigger should know nothing but to obey his master—to do as he is told to do. Learning would spoil the best nigger in the world. Now,” said he, “if you teach that nigger (speaking of myself) how to read, there would be no keeping him. It would forever unfit him to be a slave…” Young Frederick, he was smart and he was brave Because for him to read was to misbehave supposed to be illiterate from the cradle to the grave A slave who can read isn't fit to be a slave Born in the 1820’s in Tuckahoe Maryland As a black slave he was never treated like a man They controlled when he was sleeping, drinking and eaten He saw relatives sold away and his aunt beaten At a young age separated from his mother Grew up with the masters child but not like a brother More like pet, but more than most slaves expect Something’s his young master got young Frederick would get That included lessons like learning the abc's He would sit with his young master as he would learn to read His young masters mother was Frederick’s mistress He learned his letters with her assistance Frederick soaked it all in, like all children he was curious When her husband found out he was so furious Told her not to teach him and the reason that he gave "A slave who can read isn't fit to be a slave" Frederick said at the time he didn't know what that meant But from that day on that's how his free time was spent He stole his master’s old homework and finished tests Would bet white boys in the street who could spell their words the best They'd always beat him but they didn't think of this Every word that they beat him with he'd add it to his list When he was older Frederick stole so many books He hid them where he slept to stay away from master’s looks He read about freedom and about places for away And knew that in slavery was nowhere to stay When he learned to read he also learned to write he knew he couldn't get out of slavery without a fight Unless he got a letter from his master he's a prisoner So he learned how to write a pass and forge a signature Now he understood his master’s reason that he gave "A slave who can read isn't fit to be a slave” what Frederick read confirmed what he knew all along That freedom is for everyone and slavery is wrong Fredericks reading and writing game was superhero strong He has so many accomplishments they need their own songs before I make those track, let me make one observation The to key Frederick’s freedom was that he stole his education He didn’t have the 1st through 12th, so he learned it with stealth didn’t care what master felt, reading gave him knowledge of self so just like Frederick, read at every opportunities and unlike Frederick you’ve got help in your community You’ve got to read, the more ideas you have the more likely you’ll succeed You gotta read, and books can give you all the ideas you need You gotta read From the dictionary to history it’s necessary You gotta read, Now follow me, to the library Frederick used his skills to make sure his people were saved Because no one in the world deserves to be a slave You gotta read The more ideas you have the more likely you'll succeed You gotta read And books can give you all the ideas you gotta read You gotta read From the dictionary to history it's Necessary You gotta read Now follow me You gotta read To the library share ideas and communicate long distances using reading and writing skills, your possibilities are endless have the more likely you’ll succeed You gotta read And books can give you all the idea To be able to get ideas and information from as many sources as possible so you can learn from other people's experiences. No matter what you are into, sports, business, spirituality, world travel, games, technology, history, language. The more people you can get information from, the more prepared you are to use that information and use it for your success. No one is fit to be a slave, but if you can learn information,. From even learning that you are ended a slave and entitled to more, to figuring out how to get out of it. The whole world opens up to you once you read and write. It’s your job to make sure you are literate. Do what ever you can. Start by paying attention in class and asking your parent, teacher or librarian for extra help reading. The best way to get information The more you can read then you'll have more opportunity And unlike Frederick Douglass you can get help in your community We are the travelers along the road he paved "A slave who can read isn't fit to be a slave" Public Libraries Appoquinimink Public Library Bear Public Library Brandywine Hundred Public Library Bridgeville Public Library Claymont Public Library Corbit-Calloway Memorial Library Delaware City Public Library Delmar Public Library Dover Public Library Elsmere Public Library Frankford Public Library Georgetown Public Library Greenwood Public Library Harrington Public Library Hockessin Public Library Kent County Bookmobile Kent County Public Library Kirkwood Library Laurel Public Library Lewes Public Library Milford Public Library Millsboro Public Library Milton Public Library New Castle Public Library Newark Free Library Rehoboth Beach Public Library Route 9 Library & Innovation Center Seaford District Library Selbyville Public Library Smyrna Public Library South Coastal Public Library Sussex County Mobile Library Bookmobile Wilmington Public Library Wilmington Public Library- North Branch Woodlawn Public Library Academic Libraries Delaware Technical Community College- Owens Campus Phone: ‪(302) 259-6199‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ 21179 College Drive, Georgetown, DE 19947 Mon-Thurs 8am- 10pm; Fri 8am- 4:30pm; Sat 9am- 1pm; Delaware Technical Community College-Stanton Campus Phone: ‪(302) 454-3939‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ 400 Stanton-Christiana Rd., Newark, DE 19713 Mon-Thurs 8am- 9pm; Fri 8am-4pm; Sat 9am-1pm Hours vary during semester breaks and summer sessions. Closed Saturdays during summer. Delaware Technical Community College- Terry Campus Phone: ‪(302) 857-1060‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ 100 Campus Drive, Dover, DE 19904 Mon-Thurs 8:15am- 8pm; Fri 8:15am- 4pm; Sat 9am-Noon Hours vary during semester breaks and summer semester. Delaware Technical Community College- Wilmington Campus Phone: ‪(302) 573-5431‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ 333 N. Shipley Rd., Wilmington, DE 19801 Mon-Thurs 8:15am to 9pm Fri 8:15am-4:30pm; Sat 9am- 1pm Hours vary during semester breaks and summer semester. Closed Saturdays during the summer. Wesley College, Parker Library Phone: ‪(302) 736-2413‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ 120 North State Street, Dover, DE 19901 Mon-Thurs 7:30am-Midnight; Fri 7:30am- 6pm; Sat Noon-5pm; Sun 3pm-Midnight Wilmington University Library Phone: ‪(302) 356-6879‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ 320 DuPont Highway, New Castle, DE 19720 Mon-Thurs 9am-10pm; Fri 9am-8pm; Sat 9am-5pm; Sun 1pm-8pm K-12 School Libraries Campus Community School Delmarva Christian High School Library Positive Outcomes Charter School Salesianum Sussex Academy Sussex Technical High School Library Thomas Edison Charter School Special Libraries Barratt’s Chapel Biggs Museum of American Art Delaware Academy of Medicine Delaware Division of Historic & Cultural Affairs Library Delaware Division of Libraries Delaware Library Access Services (DLAS) Delaware Public Archives Delaware Division of Substance Abuse & Mental Health Ft. Delaware Historical Society Legislative Hall Library Lewes Historical Society New Castle County Dept. of Community Service Sussex County Department of Libraries Phone: ‪(302) 855-7890‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ 22215 DuPont Blvd., P.O. Box 589, Georgetown, DE 19947 Mon-Fri 8:30am- 4:30pm
2.
CHORUS Rhetoric just like Frederick (8x) What you talking 'bout? Typing on your keyboard or out your mouth What you talking 'bout? Words are power make them count What you talking 'bout? Typing on your keyboard or out your mouth VERSE ONE (autobiography) He was many things, including a biographer America was on trial, he’s the stenographer Key witness and prosecuting attorney He took the whole world on his slavery journey became a voice for the voiceless enslaved Africans faced with hard choices back when they thought a former slave couldn’t be literate Destroyed the myths that masters were considerate Blew you away with vocabulary above ordinary, distinguished dignitary emissary, representing for black pain deep and philosophical or simple and plain You know you got a story are you telling it? Don’t ever think your story isn’t relevant like Douglass tell your own narrative So you can have rhetoric just like Frederick VERSE TWO (journalism) 1847 he started the North Star At the time black newspapers were bizarre he felt he had to use his freedom of the press “Those who suffer injustice are those who must demand redress” he appreciated white abolitionist But thought former slaves should tell what the mission is They pushed forward their efforts Sold copies through networks, turned readers to experts then he teamed up with Martin Delaney Who was astute (that’s another word for brainy) He thought the publication should be named for its creator So the name became “The Frederick Douglass Papers” What’s the story in your world, are you telling it? Don’t ever think your story isn’t relevant Telling your story is imperative So you can have rhetoric just like Frederick VERSE THREE (orator) He used his skills to write and perform speeches That’s readings out loud that inspires and teaches Before the Civil War few had seen before a black orator on nationwide tour When it comes to speeches he might be the GOAT From slave abolition to women’s rights to vote Good speeches are the art of story telling Presenting arguments in a way that’s compelling Look at the titles, they tell you no lie Like “What to the slave is the fourth of July” “The hypocrisy of American slavery” Giving these speeches showed poise and bravery What’s your message to the world, are you telling it? Don’t ever think your message isn’t relevant Write your words down and then start yelling it You can have rhetoric just like Frederick
3.
Introducing the world famous autobiographer, news paper publisher, public speaker and the most photographed American of the 19th century…Frederick Douglass CHORUS You see my suit it costs some dough Fresh and clean, don’t you know? I need a crown for this photo So let me pick out my fro Selfie king Pick out my fro Selfie king Pick out my fro Selfie king Pick out my fro Selfie king Pick out my fro VERSE ONE I see you wanna floss on the gram get a little fame with your little phone I’m the 1800’s freshest in the land let me tell you the kind of selfie game I was on America’s most popular I mean for real Best selling autobiographer Words pay the bills Giving racist insomnia House on the hill Self taught lexicographer That means I’ve got word skills Flexing for the photographer Black and white stills That’s how we do it in Anacostia With the old school ice grill CHORUS VERSE TWO Cashing speaking fees, royalties and federal checks/ My sons a civil war vet, name one president that I haven’t met, Could be at an all white function (not talking clothes) breaking necks Slim, I'm on the front porch listening to string quartets/ It’s confidence not arrogance From South East most famous resident More famous than the president Look at the picks if you want evidence Took advantage of every opportunity Despite what racist tried to do to me Ambassador to Haiti the US recruited me I got real diplomatic immunity CHORUS VERSE THREE Yes, I’m a free man, think you stopping one of my plans Punishment is Severe, will knock you out where you stand Slave owners read my book; my haters are my biggest fans Overseers could read braille still can’t see me with the hands Think you flexing on’em hard, showing off with bravery Flexed in so many pics with the squad they tried to send me back to slavery There’s one thing that got me trippin' like Amerie Are you everything your pictures of you claim to be? I was the speaker that they came to see No one had more acclaim than me No one had a bigger name than me, No one alive at the time had more fame than me Not a player no ones in the same game as me Everyone posed looking aimlessly I stared in the camera shamelessly So you can see that no ones taming me CHORUS
4.

about

After a few years of teaching the Frederick Douglass Writing Club (writing for freedom since 1838) I decided to put down some of the most important lessons we've learned in song form. The first track "Fit to be a Slave" is based on his stories from The Narrative of the Life of a Slave on how he learned to read. The song is a challenge to my students to practice reading and be their own teacher. The first single and video "Rhetoric Just Like Frederick" takes the listener through the three ways Douglass used his words: autobiographer, newspaper publisher, and public speaker. The video takes you to only a few of the many monuments to Douglass here in my home state of Maryland and Washington DC. "Selfie King" is written from the perspective of Douglass himself. It is braggadocio in typical Hip-Hop style about how he was the most photographed American of the 19th century. The FDWC Anthem is a song in progress that I'm writing with my FDWC club members this semester and turning into a song by this summer!

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released December 31, 2018

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Baba Bomani Washington, D.C.

Baba Bomani, aka the Watermelon man has been using hip-hop, poetry and multi-media disciplines to teach fun and informative workshops with all ages from kindergarteners to graduate students for well over 15 years Bomani . Here you can find his hip-hop music for kids as well as teaching materials showing students the writing process through hip-hop! ... more

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