They were, so we are

When they were told to stay
They ran

When they were told to shut up
They spoke out

When they were told to get up
They sat down

When they were whipped 
They whipped back

When they were shackled 
They broke free

When they were hunted
They killed 'm all

When they were caught 
They killed themselves

When they were denied freedom
They took it

When they were given back their freedom
They demanded equality

When they were marginalized
They multiplied

When they were expected to die
They lived
They survived

---

So

---

When they say salute
We kneel

When they say be quiet
We speak up

When they say sit down
We rise!

When they want us to forget
We don't

It’s because of them
That we are

They were, so we could be