RISE
Five Fingers of Funk Lyrics

Speak upon an issue strain your brain tissue
Think hard before you voice your opinion on an important matter

But you don't raise your voice 'cause you're afraid someone will diss you
You keep quiet because you fear criticism and judgment from others

Words are needing saying so you'd better say them quick
Don't wait too long to express what you have to say

'Cause second lady Tipper's gonna zip a fucking lip
Be careful of censorship and government interference in free speech

And what are you going to do when Uncle Scam has got your tongue tied
How will you react when the government silences you?

I don't waste a word 'cause I know well that more than one died
I don't take my right to speak for granted because people have died fighting for it

To get across the thought the point the words we take for granted
We often overlook the significance and power of the words we use

But you live in the U.S. Tianamen Square's another planet
Although you may live in America, events such as the Tiananmen Square protests in China may feel like another world

Injustice anywhere threatens my security
If there is injustice anywhere, it affects my own safety and wellbeing

'Cause I'm no shining example of a racial purity
I am not the epitome of racial perfection, and so I face discrimination too

Mr. David Duke is not a fluke or threat or promise
David Duke and his followers pose a real, tangible threat to society

He's a mighty voting block to keep the real humans honest
White supremacists like David Duke have significant power and influence, and must not be ignored

You've got to get up stand up be conscious every day
You need to be aware and vigilant every day, and not let injustice go unnoticed or unchallenged

Cast your vote in the ballots plus the dollars that you pay
Voting and supporting businesses that align with your values is important for promoting social change

If St. Ids's supplies the sorrow then it's time to get wise
If alcohol causes pain and suffering in your life, it's time to make a change

Cast out the bottle open your eyes and rise
Quit drinking and be ready to face the world with a clear mind and a ready spirit

From the center of my being I'm seeing a growing movement
I'm noticing a larger and greater effort towards social change

In my youth I was seeking truth where as now a social improvement
As I've gotten older, my focus on truth has turned into a desire for social betterment

Generation X has got to flex on politicians
Generation X needs to hold politicians accountable for their actions and decisions

When they're on a power mission and money makes their decisions
Politicians often prioritize their own power and financial gain over their duty to the people

Hypocrisy has got to be the root of this democracy
Democracy is flawed due to the hypocrisy of its leaders and institutions

It'd mean a lot to me to see a Mabon lobotomy
I would greatly appreciate a collective shift in mentality and perspective

All discrimination contradicts our father's nation
Discrimination goes against the values and principles of our nation's founders

Give us your sick and tired and hungry unless they're sick and tired and Haitian
America's acceptance of refugees and immigrants is often marred by bias and discrimination

Because we hate them foreigners and imports but then again
Anti-immigrant sentiment is often driven by fear and hatred

We never seemed too fond of our own Native Americans
The mistreatment and oppression of Native Americans has been a shameful part of America's history

Ethnic cleansing we say is something we're against
Officially, America denounces the practice of ethnic cleansing

But it's called domestic policy on this side of the fence
Ethnic cleansing and discriminatory policies are often disguised as domestic policy in the US

We're willing to step in and get in and push Iraqis off of you
The US is willing to intervene in international conflicts, often with military force

It's just too bad they've got no oil out in Bosnia
The US intervention in other countries is often motivated by financial gain

We're willing to make a move but it depends on who's attacking you
The US chooses which conflicts to intervene in based on its own interests, rather than international justice

'Cause damn we still have a lot of money tied up in South Africa
US involvement in South Africa is influenced by its financial interests, rather than a concern for justice and equality

I'd look in the paper but I can't see through all the smoke
It's difficult to find clear and unbiased information in the media

Everyone's complaining but not registered to vote
Many people complain about the state of America, but fail to take action and make their voices heard through voting

It takes a lot of effort in the nineties to survive
It takes a lot of work to navigate and thrive in 1990s America

Give it up for revolution if you can't compromise
Revolution and drastic change may be necessary if no compromise can be reached