Lyrically, the song is about how black Americans and women have come so far against all odds and instead of wallowing in past pains, should celebrate a brighter future. The song is also about Janet’s personal struggles as a black woman coming up in the music industry.
New Agenda
Janet Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And it's time for us to step it up and respect
That level of sisterhood
That's been holding up our neighborhood
And if it wasn't for our mothers
There would be no brothers
And if it wasn't for our sisters
There would be no misters
She's strong and that's a fact
Now it's time for us to take up the slack
Step it up, step it up, time to go to work
History hidden from me
To hide my identity
So I'd never feel
I am somebody
You've gouged my eyes
I see more clearly
You've tried to rob
My humanity
My spirit you tried to break
My soul you tried to take
There's no need to be afraid
Cause I won't do unto you now
Amen
All that we've been through
Our time has come to rejoice
A new agenda's due
Amen
It's time to know the truth
Our time has come to rejoice
A new agenda's due
(no no)
Because of my gender
(no)
I've heard no too many times
Because of my race
I've heard no too many times
But with every no
I grow in strenght
That is why
African-American woman
I stand tall with pride
You want to know what it takes
To rid yourself of me now
There's nothing you can do
Accept me for who I am now
Amen
All that we've been through
Our time has come to rejoice
A new agenda's due
Amen
It's time to know the truth
Our time has come to rejoice
A new agenda's due
Time to step it up, step it up
Better check yourself
I get vexed to protect what we got
Left her alone
Lookin for your own
Here it is I know what I'm sayin
But the klan ain't playin at the range
Gotta step it up us to discuss a must
It ain't nothin but an us thang
Rewind back to the time
Where the color of our mother
Had 'em call it a crime
Brother what in the world?
And the world says where is the black man
Support the woman and children
Time to step it up, step it up, it's playoff time
And the rhyme go to check, so check yourself
Amen
A new agenda's due
Amen
All that we've been through
Our time has come to rejoice
A new agenda's due
Amen
It's time to know the truth
Our time has come to rejoice
A new agenda's due
Amen
All that we've been through
Our time has come to rejoice
A new agenda's due
Amen
It's time to know the truth
Our time has come to rejoice
A new agenda's due
"New Agenda" is a song by Janet Jackson featuring rapper Chuck D that urges for respect towards the strength of sisterhood and the African American woman's identity. The song is a call for action that speaks of the strength of women and the significance of their role in the community. Throughout the lyrics, Jackson raises her voice against the suppression of black women's identity by stating that history has been hidden from her to avoid feeling like she is somebody.
Jackson further asserts that though she has heard "no" too many times because of her race and gender, she grows stronger with every "no." She encourages black women to be proud of their identity and stand tall despite being challenged by societal norms. She also highlights that it is time for men to "step it up" and support women as they have been holding up the neighbourhood.
The song also speaks about the racial injustice in American history and calls out the absence of black men who did not support or protect their women during the difficult times, calling them to step up and become allies. "New Agenda" is a message of hope and empowerment that encouraged many women to embrace their identity and be proud of themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
It ain't nothin but an us thang
It is time for us to come together and unite
And it's time for us to step it up and respect
We need to elevate our awareness and respect for each other
That level of sisterhood
The bond and unity among women
That's been holding up our neighborhood
The strength of sisterhood in our community
And if it wasn't for our mothers
We owe our existence and identity to our mothers
There would be no brothers
Without motherhood, there would be no men in the world
And if it wasn't for our sisters
Women play an equally important role in society as men
There would be no misters
Women deserve respect and recognition in all aspects of life
She's strong and that's a fact
Women are powerful and resilient
Now it's time for us to take up the slack
It is time for us to rise up and take on more leadership roles
Step it up, step it up, time to go to work
It's time to take action and make a change
History hidden from me
My history has been erased and my identity suppressed
To hide my identity
My true self has been disguised or erased to benefit others
So I'd never feel
To keep me in ignorance and submission
I am somebody
I am a valuable individual with unique experiences and perspectives
You've gouged my eyes
You have blinded me to the truth
I see more clearly
I have gained insight and self-awareness despite oppression
You've tried to rob
You have attempted to steal or take away
My humanity
My inherent worth and dignity as a human being
My spirit you tried to break
You have tried to crush my soul and morale
My soul you tried to take
You have attempted to steal my essence and being
There's no need to be afraid
You do not need to be scared of me
Cause I won't do unto you now
I won't harm you in retaliation
Amen
So be it
All that we've been through
Our history of struggles and hardships
Our time has come to rejoice
We should celebrate our accomplishments and progress
A new agenda's due
It's time for a new plan or strategy
Because of my gender
I have been discriminated against for being a woman
I've heard no too many times
I have been denied opportunities and rights too many times
Because of my race
I have endured prejudice and bias due to my ethnicity
But with every no
Despite the rejections and setbacks
I grow in strength
I become more resilient and empowered
That is why
This is why
African-American woman
A female person of African descent living in America
I stand tall with pride
I am confident and unapologetic about who I am
You want to know what it takes
You are curious about the effort required
To rid yourself of me now
To prevent me from being a part of your life or society
There's nothing you can do
There is no way to exclude or eliminate me
Accept me for who I am now
Embrace me as I am
Better check yourself
You need to evaluate your own behavior and attitude
I get vexed to protect what we got
I become angry and defensive to safeguard what we have accomplished
Left her alone
Neglecting or abandoning a woman
Lookin for your own
Pursuing one's own interests and disregarding others
Here it is I know what I'm sayin
I am confident and knowledgeable about my message
But the klan ain't playin at the range
The Ku Klux Klan is active and violent in some areas
Gotta step it up us to discuss a must
We need to elevate our efforts and have crucial conversations
Rewind back to the time
Reflecting on a past era or moment
Where the color of our mother
When our mother's skin color determined our identity and status
Had 'em call it a crime
It was considered illegal or immoral to be a certain race
Brother what in the world?
Expressing confusion or disbelief
And the world says where is the black man
The society and system overlooks or oppresses black men
Support the woman and children
Men should provide care and protection to women and kids
It's playoff time
It's a critical moment or time for action
And the rhyme go to check, so check yourself
The lyrics aim to educate and inspire, so evaluate your own actions and beliefs
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, JANET JACKSON DBA BLACK ICE, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROBERT BELL, RONALD BELL, GEORGE BROWN, JAMES (US 1) HARRIS, JANET JACKSON, TERRY LEWIS, TERRY STEVEN LEWIS, ROBERT MICKENS, S. MORRIS, GENE JR. REDD, CARLTON RIDENHOUR, CARLTON DOUGLAS RIDENHOUR, CLAYDES SMITH, WOODROW SPARROW, DENNIS THOMAS, RICHARD WES
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