What If
India.Arie Lyrics

What if Martin didn't stand up?
Imagine if Martin Luther King Jr. didn't choose to fight for civil rights and freedom of oppressed people. Without his bravery, things would be very different for minorities today.

What if Rosa didn't sit down?
Rosa Parks famously refused to give up her seat on a bus, igniting the Montgomery Bus Boycott and helping to advance the civil rights movement. If she didn't take that stand, change may have been delayed or not happened at all.

What if Malcolm didn't man up?
Malcolm X was a key figure in the black struggle for equality in America. Without his leadership and outspokenness, the African-American community may have had a harder time advancing their rights.

Where would we be now?
These hypothetical situations show how different the world might be if certain people didn't step up and fight for change. It's a reminder of the importance of action and the impact of individuals.

What if Marley didn't get up, stand up?
Bob Marley's music was a powerful tool for spreading the message of peace, love, and social justice. His influence on music and culture would have been significantly diminished if he didn't use his talent to fight for equal rights.

What if Dubois didn't come to advance us?
W.E.B. Dubois was a prominent African-American author, thinker, and activist who fought against racism and helped to further civil rights. Without his contributions, it's possible that minorities would have seen slower progress.

And Mandela didn't come to teach us?
Nelson Mandela was a revolutionary figure in the fight against apartheid in South Africa, and his work has inspired movements for freedom around the world. If he hadn't taken up this cause, or been a leader in anti-apartheid activism, the world would have seen much less progress.

We are the ones we've been waiting for
Rather than waiting for someone else to come and fix the problems in the world, we all have the power and responsibility to take action and effect change.

With our love, love, love, love
Love is a powerful force that can inspire us to do great things and change the world for the better.

'Cause it is up to us
This line is a simple reminder that we all have the power to make a difference and create positive change in the world.

What if Maya didn't speak out?
Maya Angelou was a writer and activist who used her words to call attention to critical issues and promote social justice. If she didn't speak out, the world would have been devoid of her beautiful poetry and powerful messages.

What if Langston Hughes didn't write it down?
Langston Hughes was one of the most important writers of the Harlem Renaissance, and his work has had a profound impact on American literature and culture. Without his contribution, black literature may have taken longer to emerge.

What if Josephine Baker didn't dance it out? (No)
Josephine Baker was an African-American dancer and civil rights activist who used her art to spread messages of equality and freedom. Without her contribution, the world would have been without her trailblazing performances and important activism.

Tell me where would we be now?
These rhetorical questions serve as a reminder of how some of the world's most significant figures have played a critical role in changing history. If things had been different, the world would be a completely different place.

What if Sojourner never told the truth?
Sojourner Truth was a powerful advocate for abolition and women's rights, whose speeches and writing had a significant impact on the civil rights movement. Without her contributions, women and black Americans may still be fighting for basic rights and liberties today.

Or Ida B. Wells never printed the news?
Ida B. Wells was an African-American journalist who wrote extensively about the terrible treatment of blacks and contributed to the fight for civil rights. Her work played a critical role in obtaining the rights and recognition for black Americans in the US.

Harriet never went underground?
Harriet Tubman was an abolitionist and political activist whose work with the Underground Railroad saved countless lives and helped to bring slavery to an end. Without her bravery and activism, the U.S. might have remained a slaveholding society for a much longer time.

Me too, I matter, you matter
This line is a call to action for self-esteem and self-worth, and a reminder that each of us has value.

We matter
Each of us has the ability to impact the world around us, and we should never underestimate our own importance when it comes to creating positive change.

Together we are love
This line is a reminder that, when we work together toward a common goal, our collective love and energy has the power to affect the world around us in significant ways.

It's gotta be all of us
Everyone has a role to play in creating change, and we all must work together and use our unique skills and abilities to effect positive change in the world.

Stand up and speak up
This line is a call to action for individuals to find their voice and use it to promote positive causes, and to stand up for their beliefs and values.

Our love'll change the world
This line is a message of hope that our love and care for each other can effect positive change in the world.

We will change the world
This line is a reminder that positive change is possible when we take collective action to effect change.

Oprah, Kamala, Ava, Tarana and Lena
These names represent strong, powerful women who have spoken out for equality and upliftment of under-represented groups, and who have used their platforms for great good.

Serena, Viola, Opal, Patrice and Alicia
These names represent women of different fields who have made positive strides despite societal pressures or issues at hand, and who continue to inspire others through their work and advocacy.

You and me, are the chosen
This line is a reminder that each individual has a role to play in creating change, and that we are all called to help make the world a better place.

Right now, this is our moment
This line is a call to action for individuals to step up and use their skills and abilities to create positive change, and to recognize that the time for change is now.

We are a people of motion
This line is a reminder that, when we come together and work toward a common goal, we have the power to create real and lasting change.

Our love's gonna change the world
This line is a message of hope that our love and care for each other can effect positive change in the world.