I Am ... Somebody

In 1972, reverend Jesse Jackson shared the poem "I Am - Somebody" (originally written by pastor and civil rights activist William Homes Borders, Sr. in the 1950s) with children of Sesame Street.

I am ...[I am!] 
Somebody... [somebody!] 
I am ... [I am!] 
Somebody ... [somebody!] 
I may be poor ... [I may be poor!] 
But I am ... [but I am!] 
Somebody ... [somebody!] 
I may be on welfare ... [I may be on welfare!] 
But I am ... [but I am!] 
Somebody ... [somebody!] 
I may be unskilled ... [I may be unskilled!] 
But I am ... [But I am!] 
Somebody ... [somebody!] 
I am ... [I am!] 
Black ... [black!] 
Beautiful ... [beautiful!] 
Proud ... [proud!] 
And must be respected ... [and must be respected]! 
I must be protected ... [I must be protected!] 
I am God's child ... [I am God's child] (via)

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photograph via