I am one of those people who has an appreciation for music. Not just any music! I am talking good old music which embodies so much depth in it that a song you have listened to before can in one moment become so profound that you wonder to yourself if you really ever got the meaning before.
Today, as I listened to Guilty by Gladys Knight. I thought to myself: I can relate, Amen to that! Then I proceeded to Google for the lyrics but was unlucky with my search 🙁 . My motivation for Googling for the lyrics was that I finally found the words that describe me being a black liberal feminist. That is, I duly accept that I shall remain black and female. Therefore, all that I can ever do is to challenge myself to lead a life that is liberated in thought. A life where if I can think it then I can do it with God’s help and those that believe in me. And a life where I need not feel apologetic for declaring myself as a feminist because indeed I am!
Below are the stanzas that talked to my heart:
Yes, I am guilty of so many things. I have been desperate for the love and joy that I know life should bring.
I am guilty, yes I am guilty! Guilty of doing without social acceptance, proper respect and the essence of what life is all about.
I am guilty of being at war in a world where riches determine your worth not the measure of ones character, as it should be down here on earth.So go on and sentence me and set me free because I know you cannot see that I am guilty for just being me. I am guilty of love and hating, just the same as anyone else. …
Its two strikes against me when I come out to bat; one strike for being female and one strike for being black. So I stand tall through it all! My Helper [this] because I know I will be female and black till the day I die! ….
As you can see from the last quoted stanza, being a black liberal feminist means I literally have a single shot otherwise its game over for me – or as they say: “strike three and I am out” !
I am a major Gladys Knight fan and you are the only one who even had part of the lyrics. You inspired me to pen them for myself. Thought you may want a copy too.
Yeah…I’m guilty of sooooo many things. Of being desperate for the love and the joy that I know life should bring.
I’m guilty, yes I’m guilty
Guilty of doing without social acceptance, proper respect, and the essence of what life’s all about.
I’m guilty of being the poor in a world where riches determine your worth, not the measure of one’s character, as it should be down here on earth.
So go on and sentence me or set me free ‘cause I know that you cannot see, I’m guilty for just being me.
I’m guilty of loving and hating, just the same as anyone, I‘m guilty of wanting the best life can offer for my daughters and my son.
Its two strikes against me when I come up to bat; one strike for being female and one strike for being Black. So I stand tall through it all! My head up high ‘cause I know that I’ll be female and Black till the day I die!
I’m Guilty…
O f watching society persecute and dehumanize my man, while watching him struggle to survive, among people who won’t lend a hand
If you want to walk in my shoes , you gonna end up with the blues and you will see what I see, I’m guilty of just being me.
Thanks so much Robin for the lyrics 😉
Thank you so much this is one of my favourite song but it’s so hard to find I ordered the cd on eBay this song describes exactly how I feel or made to feel by society as a black woman I have not lost hope I know change is gonna come I trust God
Change will come; I too believe! 🙂
I grew up on this album (my preteen years) and this particular song has never left me. Unfortunately along the way we lost the CD. I have only remembered the chorus and knew it was Gladys Knight. Can u please tell me what album this was from and how I can get it? Been searching for years!
Eish…not sure where you can get the album, but I suspect you might get it in the oldies section in a music store such as Musica.
The album name is “Just for you”!
The album is Just for you. Love love the entire album. I was leaving my kids father and a guy who was a good friend but was happy I was leaving him introduced it to me. Needless to say I’m not with either. Lol, but I found the CD. I went to a record store and the guy ordered it for me. How lucky is that?
Sorry for late response…but lucky indeed! Hope you are now enjoying the jams (gems)!