Nature of the Threat
Ras Kass Lyrics

Let freedom ring with a buckshot, but not just yet
We can't fully embrace freedom until we understand the true nature of the threat.

And a pale man walks in the threshold of darkness
White Europeans, with their lighter skin, emerged from Africa and migrated to different regions of the world.

Roughly 20,000 years ago the first humans evolved with the phenotypical trait, genetic recessive
Around 20,000 years ago, humans with lighter skin, hair, and eye color, which were genetic recessive traits, started to appear.

Blue eyes, blonde hair and white skin
This describes the physical features associated with the genetic mutation that resulted in lighter skin, blue eyes, and blonde hair.

Albinism apparently was a sin to the original man, Africans
The original Africans viewed albinism as a negative trait or sin.

So the mutants traveled North of the equator
Those with the genetic mutation migrated from Africa to regions located north of the equator.

Called Europeans later, the first race haters
These individuals later became known as Europeans, and they were the first to exhibit racial discrimination and prejudice.

So here's the Devil's alpha to the beta
The artist suggests that the history of white dominance and discrimination is akin to following the devil's path.

Cause history's best qualified to teach one
Looking at historical events helps us understand the roots of racial discrimination.

Quoting German philosopher Schopenhauer
Referencing the ideas of the German philosopher Schopenhauer to support the argument.

"Every white man is a faded or a bleached one"
According to Schopenhauer, every white person is essentially a faded or bleached version of their original darker-skinned ancestors.

Migration created further mutation
Migration led to further genetic mutations and variations among different populations.

Genetic drifts, evolution through recombination
Genetic drift and recombination contributed to the ongoing process of evolution.

Adaptation to the climate
Different populations adapted to their respective climates over time.

As the Caucas Mountain man reverted to that of a primate
The Caucasian people, who originally migrated from the Caucasus Mountains, went through evolutionary changes that transformed them from human-like beings to more primatesque.

Savage Neanderthals, until the late Paleolithic age
The Neanderthals, who were considered more savage or primitive, persisted until the late Paleolithic age.

That's when the Black Grimaldi man came
The Grimaldi people, with their African ancestry, emerged during this time period.

With the symbol of the dragon, fire and art
The Grimaldi people had cultural symbols associated with dragons, fire, and art.

Check cave paintings in France and Spain to the Venus of Willendorf
Archaeological evidence of early human artistic expression can be found in cave paintings in France and Spain, as well as statues like the Venus of Willendorf.

Around 2000 B.C. Southern Russians migrate in small units
Around 2000 B.C., small groups of Southern Russians began migrating to different areas.

Those who travel West populated Europe
Southern Russians who migrated westward contributed to the population of Europe.

Those who went East settled in Iran, known as Aryans
Some Southern Russians who migrated eastward settled in Iran and became known as Aryans.

1500 B.C. some crossed the Khyber Pass into India and created Hinduism, the first caste system, the origins of racism
Around 1500 B.C., some Southern Russians crossed the Khyber Pass and settled in India, where they are believed to have influenced the development of Hinduism and introduced the first caste system, which became the foundation for racism.

A white dot on the forehead meant elite
In the caste system, a white dot on the forehead indicated elite status.

The black dot - defeat; untrustable, untouchables
Conversely, a black dot on the forehead represented defeat and indicated that the person was considered untrustworthy and untouchable.

They wrote the holy Vedas in Sanskrit
The holy texts known as the Vedas were written in Sanskrit, which is considered the language that gave rise to Greek, German, Latin, and English.

That's the language that created Greek, German, Latin and English
Sanskrit has influenced the development of several major languages, including Greek, German, Latin, and English.

Now the Minoans around 2000 B.C.
Around 2000 B.C., the Minoan civilization emerged.

Starts on the island of Crete, in the Agean Sea
The Minoan civilization started on the island of Crete, located in the Agean Sea.

The Greek culture begins Western Civilization
The Greek culture is considered the starting point of Western Civilization.

But "Western Civilization" means "White Domination"
It is important to acknowledge that Western Civilization has been dominated by white cultures.

Myceneans learned from Kemet, called Egypt in Greek
The Mycenean people, part of Greek civilization, learned from and were influenced by the civilization of Egypt, known as Kemet in Greek.

It existed since at least 3000 B.C.
The Egyptian civilization had already been established by at least 3000 B.C.

Creatin geometry and astronomy
The Egyptians were pioneers in the fields of geometry and astronomy.

This knowledge influenced Plato, Socrates and Hippocrates
The knowledge passed down from the Egyptians had a significant impact on the philosophies and teachings of Greek thinkers like Plato, Socrates, and Hippocrates.

Cause Imhotep, the real real father of medicine
Imhotep, an Egyptian figure, is recognized as the true originator of medical knowledge and practices.

Was worshipped in Greece and Rome in the form of a Black African
The Greeks and Romans revered Imhotep, who was depicted as a Black African, and incorporated his teachings into their own cultures.

The word Africa comes from the Greek "Aphrike"
The term Africa has its roots in the Greek word "Aphrike," which means "without cold."

The word philosophy means "love of knowledge"
The word philosophy derives from the Greek term meaning "love of knowledge."

Stole from first man, Greek power expands
The Greeks borrowed and built upon the knowledge passed down from the ancient Egyptians, which contributed to the expansion of Greek power and influence.

The first Greek fraternities band
The first Greek fraternities formed as groups of like-minded individuals came together.

The word gymnasium is Greek for "naked"
The term gymnasium, used by the Greeks, translates to "naked," and it refers to the place where adolescent boys received education in an environment of nudity.

This was the place where adolescent boys were educated, and molested
The gymnasium, while serving as a place for education, was also a space where adolescent boys were subjected to sexual exploitation.

This was accepted because Greek culture was homosexual
Homosexuality was an accepted and prevalent aspect of Greek culture during this time.

For example, Sappho trained girls on the island of Lesbos
On the island of Lesbos, Sappho was known for providing education and training to girls.

Hence, the word lesbian
The word 'lesbian' is derived from the name of the island, Lesbos, where Sappho worked and homosexuality was widely practiced.

December 25th, the birth of Saturn
December 25th was traditionally celebrated as the birth of the Roman god Saturn.

A homosexual god, now check the historical pattern
The Roman god Saturn, associated with same-sex attraction, represents a recurring historical pattern of homosexuality in the ancient world.

December 25, now thought the birth of Christ
December 25th is now commonly associated with the birth of Christ in Christian tradition.

Was Saturnalia, when men got drunk, fucked each other then beat their wife
Originally, December 25th was a part of the Roman festival of Saturnalia, during which men engaged in drunken revelry, engaged in same-sex activities, and also mistreated their wives.

Fact is, it was still practiced, til they called it Christmas
The practices and celebrations associated with Saturnalia persisted, albeit with modifications and the incorporation of Christian elements, which led to the establishment of Christmas.

So put a gerbil on your Christmas list
The artist is suggesting sarcastically that one should include a gerbil on their Christmas list, alluding to controversial rumors and practices involving animals.

The Hellenistic Era, Alexander the Great
During the Hellenistic Era, which began with the conquests of Alexander the Great, Greek culture and influence spread throughout various regions.

Conquers all the way to India leaving four successor states
Alexander the Great's conquests extended as far as India and resulted in the establishment of four successor states.

By the Fifth century B.C., Rome succeeds to be the conqueror of Egypt and Greece
By the fifth century B.C., Rome had risen to become the dominant power and conquered both Egypt and Greece.

But had the threat of the Black Phoenicians in Sicily
Rome faced a threat in Sicily posed by the Black Phoenicians, a powerful civilization of African descent.

The Punic Wars began 264 B.C.
The Punic Wars, which were conflicts between Rome and Carthage (a Phoenician city-state), began in 264 B.C.

The Black general Hannibal and Carthaginian Peace
Hannibal, a Black general from Carthage, played a significant role in the Punic Wars and attempted to bring about peace.

In 146 B.C. Carthage fell after a six-month siege
In 146 B.C., after a six-month siege, Carthage was defeated and fell to Roman forces.

Rome sold every citizen to slavery
As a result of the defeat, Rome captured and enslaved every citizen of Carthage.

The first genocide of history
The fall of Carthage marked the occurrence of the first recorded act of genocide in history.

And more bisexuality in sight; Julius Caesar was known as "every woman's husband and every man's wife"
Julius Caesar, the Roman general and statesman, was notorious for engaging in both hetero and homosexual relationships.

Spartacus Revolt, a slave rebellion that lost
The Spartacus Revolt refers to a significant slave rebellion led by Spartacus, which ultimately ended in defeat.

Where 6,000 slaves was nailed on a cross
As a form of punishment and intimidation, 6,000 slaves were crucified during the Spartacus Revolt.

Cross? Aw, shit! Jesus Christ! Time for some-act-right
The artist sarcastically alludes to the significance of the cross, Jesus Christ, and the need for appropriate actions and behavior.

Christians get your facts right
The singer calls upon Christians to reevaluate and correct their understanding of historical facts.

Cause Christ was not his name
The name Jesus Christ is not accurate because it obscures the true name of the individual being referenced.

That's Greek for "One who is anointed"
The name Christ, derived from Greek, means "One who is anointed."

Yoshua Ben Yosef was his name, do Christians know this?
The artist highlights the name Yoshua Ben Yosef, suggesting that many Christians may not be aware of this true name of Jesus.

So who do you praise, do you know his name?
The artist questions who Christians truly worship and whether they are aware of the authentic name of the figure they revere.

Or do you do this in vain?
The singer questions the point or purpose of worshiping a figure without knowing their true name or essence.

Accepting the religion they gave slaves to behave
Enslaved individuals were forced to accept the religion imposed upon them as a means of controlling their behavior.

Peep the description of historian Josephus
The singer refers to the description provided by historian Josephus as evidence to support their argument.

"Short, dark, with an underdeveloped beard was Jesus"
According to Josephus, Jesus had a short stature, dark complexion, and a beard that did not fully develop.

He had the Romans fearing revolution
Jesus posed a threat to Roman authorities, as his teachings and influence garnered support and potentially threatened their rule.

The solution was to take him to court and falsely accuse him
To neutralize the threat posed by Jesus, the Romans resorted to bringing him to court and levying false accusations against him.

After being murdered by Pilate how can it be these same white Romans established Christianity
Despite Jesus being murdered by Pontius Pilate, a Roman official, it is paradoxical that the same white Romans later established the religion of Christianity.

Constantine would later see the cross in a dream
The Roman Emperor Constantine reportedly had a vision or dream revealing the significance of the cross.

In his vision, it read "En Hawk Signo Wonka": "In this sign we conquer" - Manifest Destiny
According to Constantine's vision, the words "In this sign we conquer" appeared on the cross, linking it to the Christian concept of Manifest Destiny.

In 325 he convened the Nicean Creed
In the year 325, Constantine organized the Council of Nicea to establish the Nicean Creed, which defined orthodox Christian beliefs.

And separated god into three
During the Council of Nicea, it was determined that God exists as a trinity, consisting of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Decided Jesus was born on December 25th and raised then on the third day is a myth
The Council of Nicea concluded that Jesus was born on December 25th and resurrected on the third day, but the artist implies that this is a fabrication or myth.

Plus to deceive us
The singer suggests that these decisions regarding the nature of Jesus were made to manipulate or deceive people.

Commissioned Michelangelo to paint white pictures of Jesus
To reinforce the image of a white Jesus, Michelangelo was commissioned to create paintings of Jesus depicting him as a white figure.

He used his aunt, uncle, and nephew
Michelangelo used his own family members as models for the white representations of Jesus.

Subconsciously that affects you
These images of a white Jesus have a subconscious impact on individuals, shaping their perception and understanding of divinity.

It makes you put white people closer to God
The white representation of Jesus elevates and places white people in a closer position to divinity.

(Yo, 'The Man' got game like a motherfucker!)
The artist sarcastically acknowledges the calculated strategy and manipulative power of those in power.

True indeed, fuck it, Jihad
The artist expresses defiance and a willingness to engage in a struggle or fight, using the term 'Jihad'.

In the eight century Muslims conquered Spain, Portugal and France and controlled it for 700 years
During the eighth century, Muslims successfully conquered and controlled regions such as Spain, Portugal, and France for approximately 700 years.

They never mention this in history class
The omission of this significant historical event from history classes suggests a deliberate attempt to conceal or downplay Muslim achievements and influence.

cause o'fays are threatened when you get the real lesson
The artist implies that those in positions of power feel threatened by the dissemination of knowledge and the truth.

Moors from Baghdad, Turkey threatened European Christians
The Moors, who originated from Baghdad and Turkey, posed a threat to European Christians due to their military strength and influence.

Meaning, the white way of life; hence the Crusades for Christ
The threat posed by the Moors was seen as a challenge to the European, or white, way of life, which led to the Crusades fought in the name of Christianity.

On November 25th, 1491
On November 25th, 1491, an event occurred that is significant within the context of racial and cultural dominance.

Santiago defeats the last Muslim stronghold, Grenada
The forces aligned with Santiago, a Spanish figure, successfully defeated Grenada, which was the last Muslim stronghold in the region.

King Ferdinand gave thanks to God for victory
King Ferdinand expressed gratitude to God for the victory over Grenada.

And the Pope of Rome and declared this date to forever be
In addition to King Ferdinand's recognition of the victory, the Pope of Rome declared that November 25th would be commemorated as a significant date.

A day of "Thanksgiving" for all European Christians
This day became a day of thanksgiving and celebration specifically for all European Christians.

.. Now listen, when you celebrate "Thanksgiving"
The artist is addressing the audience, urging them to reflect on the true historical implications of the Thanksgiving holiday.

What you are actually celebratin
The artist highlights the underlying significance of what is being celebrated during Thanksgiving.

is the proclamation of the Pope of Rome
The essence of the Thanksgiving celebration is based on the declaration made by the Pope of Rome.

Who later, in league with Queen Isabella
The Pope of Rome, in cooperation with Queen Isabella, played a significant role in shaping the holiday and its purpose.

sent Cardinal Ximenos to Spain
Cardinal Ximenos was sent to Spain as a representative of the Pope and Queen Isabella.

to murder any blacks that resisted Christianity
Cardinal Ximenos was instructed to kill any black individuals who resisted or opposed the spread of Christianity.

These Moors, these black men and women
The Moors, referring to the black men and women of African descent, were the targets of violence during this time.

were from Baghdad, Turkey
The Moors, who were subjected to violence, originated from Baghdad and Turkey.

And today, you eat the turkey, for your "Thanksgiving" day
The artist draws attention to the irony of eating turkey on Thanksgiving, considering the historical context and violence perpetrated against the Moors.

as the European Powers destroyed the Turkeys
While enjoying a Thanksgiving meal, people are inadvertently commemorating the destruction of the Moors and their culture by European powers.

Who were the forefathers of your mothers and fathers
The Moors, who were vilified and destroyed, are ancestors to the people celebrating Thanksgiving, including their own mothers and fathers.

Now fight the power, you bitch-ass niggaz!
The singer calls for resistance against oppressive powers and urges the audience to stand up and fight against injustice.

Now around this time, Whites started callings us Negroes
During this period, white individuals began referring to people of African descent as 'Negroes'.

That's Spanish for black object meaning we're not really people
The term 'Negro' originates from Spanish and implies that individuals of African descent are considered as objects rather than fully recognized as people.

but profit, and the triangle trade begins - they seize us
The triangular trade system emerged, in which African individuals were captured and traded as commodities for profit.

Queen Elizabeth sends the first slaves on a ship named Jesus
Under Queen Elizabeth's reign, the first African slaves were transported on a ship named Jesus, further highlighting the connection between Christianity and slavery.

Stealing land from the indigenous natives
Colonizers forcibly took land from the indigenous peoples who were originally inhabiting those regions.

Gave them alcohol to keep the Red Man intoxicated
Alcohol was provided to the Native Americans as a means to keep them intoxicated and thus more easily controlled and manipulated by the colonizers.

Whites claim they had to civilize these pagan animals
White colonizers justified their actions by claiming that they needed to civilize the indigenous people, whom they considered pagan and animal-like.

But up until 1848 there's documented cases of whites bein the savage cannibals, eatin Indians
There are documented instances until as late as 1848 in which white individuals engaged in acts of savagery, including cannibalism, toward Native Americans.

In 1992, it's Jeffery Dahmer
The artist refers to the infamous serial killer Jeffery Dahmer, who engaged in cannibalistic acts in 1992.

They slaughtered a whole race with guns
White individuals employed violence and guns to exterminate entire Native American populations.

Drugs, priests and nuns
In addition to guns, white colonizers utilized drugs, as well as the influence of priests and nuns, to control and dominate the indigenous peoples.

1763, the first demonic tactic of biological warfare
In 1763, colonizers resorted to the use of biological warfare, which involved distributing blankets and clothing contaminated with smallpox to Native American communities as an act of aggression.

As tokens of peace, Sir Jeffery Amherst passed out clothin and blankets to the Indian community
Sir Jeffery Amherst, as a supposed gesture of peace, distributed clothing and blankets contaminated with smallpox to Native American communities.

Infested with smallpox, knowin they had no immunity
The colonizers intentionally infected Native Americans with smallpox, fully aware that they had no natural immunity to the disease.

Today it's AIDS, you best believe it's man made
The singer alleges that AIDS, a disease that disproportionately affects people of African descent, is intentionally created by humans.

Cause ain't a damn thing changed.. let me explain
The singer asserts that despite the passage of time, very little has changed when it comes to the mistreatment, oppression, and manipulation of marginalized communities.

Now since people of color are genetically dominant
People of color, with their dominant genetic traits, hold the potential to outnumber and overshadow white individuals.

and Caucasoids are genetically recessive
In contrast, white individuals possess recessive genetic traits in comparison to people of color.

and Whites expect to be predominant, meaning survive as a race then
Given the genetic dynamics, white individuals desire to maintain their predominance and survival as a distinct racial group.

they simply must, take precautions
In order to protect their perceived racial dominance, white individuals must take necessary precautions.

That's why they're worried about their future now
Their concern about the future stems from the realization that their numerical majority and racial dominance are projected to decline.

'cause by 2050, almost all the Earth's population will be brown, then black, so understandin that, whites counterreact
Based on projections, by the year 2050, the majority of the global population will consist of people of color, specifically those with brown and black skin. This understanding of demographic shifts prompts white individuals to respond in various ways to protect their perceived racial superiority.

(I'm sayin.. man.. them fools ain't nothin but a teaspoon of milk in the world color majority)
The singer sarcastically suggests that white individuals, with their comparatively small population size, are insignificant in relation to the rest of the world's population, which consists of people of color.

So they created a system to force blacks into an unnatural position
White individuals established a system aimed at oppressing and subjugating black people, specifically placing them in an unnatural and inferior social position.

That reinforces the position of natural inferiority
This system is designed to perpetuate the notion of black people's inherent inferiority and maintain their subjugation.

In addition, created guns and developed the ethnocentric view
White individuals also created weapons, such as guns, and fostered an ethnocentric perspective that centers their culture as superior and all others as primitive or inferior.

that God justifies every fuckin thing they do
The singer criticizes the belief held by some white individuals that God endorses and justifies their actions, regardless of their implications or consequences.

Condition people to perceive whites' culture as civilized
Through social conditioning, people are made to view white culture as sophisticated, advanced, and civilized.

and every other culture considered primitive - not true!
Consequently, other cultures are unfairly labeled as primitive, which is a false and unjust assessment.

Racism is the system of racial subjugation against nonwhites
The artist defines racism as a system that subjugates and oppresses people who are not white based on their race or ethnicity.

in every area of human relation
This system of racial subjugation infiltrates and impacts various aspects of human interaction and society.

Entertainment, education, labor, politics
Racial subjugation manifests itself within the realms of entertainment, education, labor, and politics.

Law, religion, sex, war and economics
Furthermore, racial subjugation influences aspects such as law, religion, sexuality, war, and economic systems.

See blacks were 3/5ths of a man with tax purposes intended
Historically, black individuals were considered three-fifths of a full human being, with this designation serving as a means to determine taxation and political representation.

You think you're Afro-American?
The singer challenges the notion of being an 'Afro-American,' highlighting the complexities and contradictions surrounding racial identity and self-identification.

You're a 14th amendment and a good nigga
The singer suggests that being perceived as an 'Afro-American' means being reduced to mere citizenship under the 14th amendment and conforming to a predetermined notion of what a 'good' black person should be.

Jews don't salute the fuckin swastika
The artist draws a comparison between Jews, who do not salute or support the swastika, a symbol associated with their historical oppression, and black individuals who are expected to conform to certain expectations despite their own historical struggles.

but niggaz pledge allegiance to the flag that accosted ya
Black individuals, on the other hand, are expected to pledge allegiance to the American flag, which has represented and perpetuated their historical oppression.

They never teach about the break of islands like Jamaica
Mainstream education often neglects to cover important historical events, such as the emancipation of islands like Jamaica and the struggles faced by black populations in their fight for freedom.

But before slaves came here whites would take a
Before the arrival of enslaved individuals, white colonizers would forcibly take pregnant women and subject them to brutal acts of violence and inhumane treatment.

pregnant women, hang her from a tree by her toes
These pregnant women would be hung upside down from trees, suspended by their toes.

Slice her stomach with a knife
White colonizers would use a knife to cut open the stomach of the pregnant woman.

and let the unborn baby fall to the flo'
As a result of this violent act, the unborn baby would fall to the ground, causing further harm and trauma.

And stop an unborn child in front of all the slaves
This act of violence, specifically stopping an unborn child, would be carried out in the presence of other enslaved individuals, instilling fear and paranoia among them to discourage resistance.

to inbreed fear, so they'd be scared and behave
The objective of these brutal acts was to cultivate fear and ensure that the enslaved individuals would be too frightened to resist or exhibit any form of rebellion.

and not rebel more
The violence and psychological trauma inflicted on the enslaved individuals aimed to suppress and prevent any future rebellions or acts of resistance.

Understand all whites must be perceived as potential predators
Given the oppressive history and ongoing racial dynamics, it is necessary to view all white individuals as potential threats or predators in order to ensure personal safety and survival.

I paraphrase historian Ishakamusa Barashango
The singer cites and paraphrases the historian Ishakamusa Barashango to provide additional support and perspective.

"Understand that regardless of the lofty ideas ingraved on paper in such documents as the Constitution or Declaration, the basic nature.. of the European American white man remains virtually unchanged"
Barashango emphasizes that despite the lofty ideals expressed in documents like the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, the fundamental nature of white individuals in America has remained largely unaltered throughout history.

.. so check
The artist urges the audience to critically examine and consider the information presented.

This is the nature of the threat
The singer concludes by stating that this is the true nature of the threat that exists in society.