A Call to Action from a “Gentle Giant”: People Get Ready

The late Curtis Mayfield was a prolific singer/songwriter during the 60’s and 70’s, nicknamed the “Gentle Giant”. His influential music made quite an impression as his songs spoke about embracing pride in Blackness and raising social consciousness. From his start in a church choir in Chicago, Mayfield with his group. known as the “Impressions” recorded “People Get Ready” in 1965. It is a moving vocal about slavery, systemic racism, a call to action, and hope for brighter days. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. chose this song as the unofficial anthem of the Civil Rights Movement. One of my dad’s favorite gospel songs; this classic was included in the 2006 movie soundtrack for Akeelah and the Bee. The song was admitted to the National Recording Registry in 2015.

“People Get Ready” was used during another turbulent time in U.S. history to unite people, get people marching or to calm/comfort them. Many of Mayfield’s songs have explicit social messages with an obvious racial undertone for Black people that reflected proudly and collectively, especially during that time. It was the height of the Civil Rights Movement in 1965, the suppression of the Black vote that spearheaded the march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. I was 11 years old.

A History Lesson from Ms. Watson.

Since “People Get Ready” was released, this recent post-election climate eerily reminds me of another turbulent time that we (as a country) have been before. For me, it was during the 70’s, another time period in the resurgence of bigotry and hatred. Like many my age, music from the likes of Mayfield, Gil Scott-Heron, Nina Simone, and others raised our social consciousness. And it was a time when I began to seek “real” answers from adults in my life – while watching and questioning the social injustices right before my eyes. One day, my high school history teacher acknowledged my frustration and with a gentle look of reassurance in her eyes, Ms. Watson, told me: “Honey, the pendulum will swing back.”

About that “Pendulum”.

Today, in this post-election reality, whether you are a young impressionable teen or some other age plus/minus a decade or two (or more), we will be forever reminded of this moment. The fragility of democracy – who we think we are, and what we think is “progress” that we’ve made, since Mayfield’s call to action in 1965. At that time, my Aunt Lela was 40 years old and lived through similar turbulent times before 1965. I recall listening intently to the stories from my wise Black elders, or sometimes overhearing them talking when I wasn’t supposed to be listening to “grown folks’ conversations”. Now, I too am witnessing this moment in history yet again. I do have faith that the pendulum will swing back again slowly…it won’t be for a while though. Change is inevitable. Don’t forget our nation’s history, or you’re doomed to repeat it.

A Life Lesson on Leadership from Big Mama.

Use this time, this season of change, to learn how to refine/enhance your leadership skills and build resilience in the midst of shifting policy changes. In this post-election environment and new era of American politics, this is not a time to start acting like “hem and haw” about it. Don’t “sit this one out” either – discover how to do THIS work in a different way. Just like you have to do learn how to things you used to enjoy, like driving long distances. Because as you age, you can’t sit as long as you used to! Life has a way of teaching you about shifts.

We must continue to question, encourage, coach, teach, and challenge each other and prepare the next generations of dreamers, innovators, and creators. As leaders we need to pause - reassess, reflect, recharge; to gain a new/revised perspective and redistribute our priorities accordingly. As leaders, whether in our family, or the communities we serve or both, the hard work goes on…that people should be treated fairly and equally. Make justice just.

In a conversation on life with my Aunt Lela, she proclaimed, “Chile…you’re finally listening out of BOTH ears!” Shockingly I got it. In that moment with Aunt Lela, I felt rewarded for the wisdom (and silver hair) collected. Oh, the clarity that happens when you TRULY start paying attention to life - its sacrifices, joys, shifts, etc., sometimes the second (or even third) chances and lessons we get. I’m no longer that little skinny Black girl with pigtails who grew up in West Oakland during the Civil Rights Movement. Now I look at what my new role as a part of this new generation of “Big Mamas” and wise elders. I’m finally listening with BOTH ears and shifting how I do my work!

No matter your age and/or role that you may play in your family, community, or workplace, you are in charge of your leadership journey. You are a leader, whether as a presumed leader or sometimes more importantly, an unassuming one. How will you respond to the social landscape beyond 2025? What role will you play? How will you shift? How will you explain this social climate, the resurgence of hate to a curious teen looking for answers and direction? How will the “pendulum” swing of shifting ideas and socioeconomic policies impact your professional/personal life and the people you love? This history is important to your story.

Weekly Wisdom, in their own words: songs from Curtis Mayfield (1942 – 1999):

People Get Ready We’re a Winner! and this special concert featuring Ledisi and Bilal – A Tribute to Curtis Mayfield – an hour-long journey through his music! You’ll find “People Get Ready” around 43:00.

Grant seekers: check out this week’s new listings in Big Mama’s Playbook