This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
When did the news become entertainment? You pick and choose which side you want to hear to justify your opinion. These people have no right to be on the TV screen. We've traded papers for plastic faced actors who are paid to spin headlines, and keep us ignorant. An argument over everything, and look at the shape we're in. The headline reads ""Good luck my friends"" and then shut down the printers. All this talk of change, there's no god damn way when they manipulate and tell you it's true. It has nothing to do with the facts at hand or the truth of the matter, but it's true. And we have nothing to say while the blame is passed back and forth over and over, it's all true. You need to see who benefits from the media scheme. Big business and politicians need to control what you're thinking. ""Just keep people divided, just keep them all divided, and we can own everything. Try to keep a straight face"". So content to live in your ignorance, while they manipulate and tell you it's true.
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