It’s forty-nine years ago, in February of 1972, that Reverend Jesse Jackson recited this poem with a group of kids on the stoop of 123 Sesame Street.
Its message about the individuality and significance of ALL people however, has not aged since:
”I may be Young
but I am
Somebody.
I may be on Welfare
but I am
Somebody.
I may be on Small
but I am
Somebody.
I may make a Mistake
but I am
Somebody!
My clothes are different,
My face is different,
My hair is different,
but I am
Somebody.
I am black, brown, white.
I speak a different language.
But I must be respected,
protected,
never rejected.
I am God’s child.
I am
Somebody!”