gil scott-heron
evolution (and flashback)
In 1600 I was a darkie Until 1865, a slave In 1900 I was a nigger Or at least, that was my name  In 1960 I was a negro And then brother Malcom came along And then some nigger shot Malcom down But the bitter truth lives on  Martin is dead With Martin as our leader We prayed, and marched And marched, and prayed Things were changing Things were getting better But things were not together  With Malcom as our leader, We learned And thought And thought we had learned Things were better Things were changing But things were not together  And now it is your turn, We are tired of praying, and marching, and thinking, and learning Brothers wanna start cutting, and shooting, and stealing, and burning You are three hundred years ahead in equality But next summer may be too late To look back  In 1600 I was a darkie And until 1865 a slave In 1900 I was a nigger Or at least that was my name  In 1960 I was a negro And then Malcom came along Yes, but some nigger shot Malcom down Though the bitter truth lives on  Well now I am a black man And though I still go second class Where as once I wanted the white man's love Now he can kiss my ass