Proper Education
Grand Puba Lyrics

Here comes the proper education
Introducing the concept of the proper education that is needed.

Rude bwoy!
An exclamation of excitement or anticipation.

Proper education, education
Reinforcing the importance of proper education.

Now let me tell you folks just exactly what I mean
Introducing an explanation of what is meant by the proper education.

The way they try to lower, the black man's self esteem
Describing the systematic oppression of black people's self-worth.

Put us in their schools and I call em mental graves
Identifying schools as a place where black people are taught to think less of themselves.

When they teach us bout ourselves, all we learn that we were slaves
Highlighting the focus on slavery in black history education.

Then they say Jesus was white, understand
Pointing out the implication that God is white.

That means that Mystery God in the sky's a white man
Further emphasizing the idea that God is portrayed as a white person.

These two things alone make us start to feel inferior
Stating that these societal beliefs create a sense of inferiority in black people.

Then we grow up thinkin' they are superior
Continuing to explain the negative effects of these societal beliefs.

Why does the black licorice taste the worst?
Pondering the subconscious message behind the taste of black licorice.

Why does the black jellybean taste the worst?
Asking another question to highlight this subconscious messaging.

Why do the bad guys always wear black?
Asking yet another question that reinforces societal biases.

Why is bad luck when you see a black cat?
Asking one more question that perpetuates societal biases.

'Cause they're workin' subconsciously, subconsciously
Explaining why these biases exist on a subconscious level.

This is why we must teach our strong black nation
Stating the importance of educating black people on these societal issues.

Yes lord! Easy now star! Come again!
An exclamation of agreement or excitement.

Now they gave restitution to the Japanese
Comparing the treatment of Japanese people to the lack of restitution for black people.

You see they gave restitution to the Jews
Making another comparison to the treatment of Jewish people.

Now over 400 years of slavery rape and murder
Implying that black people are owed restitution for their history of oppression.

But I guess there's no restitution for the coons
Sarcastically suggesting that black people are not seen as deserving of restitution.

They want to use us a tool, and also as a slave
Highlighting the continued systemic oppression of black people.

In the land of the free and the home of the brave
Pointing out the hypocrisy of America's ideals and treatment of black people.

Musa came to the cave and taught them Ock
Referencing the historical figure Mansa Musa who brought knowledge to West Africa.

The tricknowledge that the Devil once forgot
Explaining that the knowledge brought by Mansa Musa was not valued by Western society.

Now the ten percent rules over the eighty-five
Describing the power dynamic between the elite and the rest of society.

You see we have to do more than just keep hope alive
Suggesting that hope alone is not enough to overcome systemic oppression.

I don't hope and I don't do dope
Rejecting the idea that drugs can be used to cope with the struggles of black people.

But I still feel the pain from my ancestors swingin' on a rope
Acknowledging the continued pain caused by the history of violence against black people.

Now pardon me as I distill on a Devil's grill
Using wordplay to describe the process of reflecting on societal issues.

Now me trust a Devil, huh, I never will
Rejecting the idea of trusting those who have perpetuated systemic oppression against black people.

I just catch my four grab my button, put it on my lapel
Referencing the Nation of Gods and Earths and their symbols.

Grab my people and get out of hell
Suggesting that black people should seek to free themselves from societal oppression.

Yes
An exclamation of agreement or acknowledgement.

Yes, we would like to say peace to all the Gods and the Earths
Sending greetings to fellow members of the Nation of Gods and Earths.

People of the universe
Addressing all those who are part of the universal community.

The original man
Referencing the Nation of Gods and Earths' belief in the original humans being black.

I would like to say peace to my brother Tony X
Sending greetings to a fellow member of the Nation of Gods and Earths.

Yes
An exclamation of agreement or acknowledgement.

Want to say
Beginning a statement of acknowledgement or gratitude.

To my physicals, free the land
Addressing fellow members of the Nation of Gods and Earths and their fight for liberation.

A-B-C
Closing the song with a simple repetitive refrain.