Thursday, February 16, 2006

The Soul of the Movement: What Are You Afraid Of?

Lee Jones - What Is It (That You Are Afraid Of)

Today's selection comes from the Kent CD Kris Records - Los Angeles Showcase of Soul, featuring Mel Alexander's labels. Lee Jones' passionate ballad "What Is It" follows the Staple Singers' "When Will We Be Paid" in discussing the contributions of black Americans to the greatness of the Nation, and poses a question that reflected the contradictions of white prejudice of the time: "What is it that you are afraid of / Though you say I'm an inferior man? / Call me lazy, no-good, among other things, / But you try to stop me on every hand." Think about it.

No comments: