W’zup famly. This is Bomani Armah aka the Watermelon Man. Being the Watermelon Man is all about creating a safe space for Black people, where our humanity and intelligence go unquestioned. I’m not about proving to other people what we’re worth. Like the church folk would say, that’s not my ministry.

(chorus 2x)
Life is short so I protect my energy
I won’t fight to be accepted by my enemy
And no, long suffering ain’t the remedy
Teaching them to love me is not my ministry

(verse one)
Let me keep it real, say exactly how I feel
I was born into this world to be a modern day griot
In the matrix I was born to be a Neo
To Black Americans and Afro Latinos and every type of creole
As I reflect on my mission, my purpose
It’s not to entertain in this three ring circus
For the people who plot to hurt us with some “How can I be of service?”
I know that makes some nervous, but look below the surface
We're told to work twice as hard to get half
Don’t blame white supremacy, they only gets them mad
Be the most model employee they ever had "It’s better than the past so be glad
Compared to grandad this ain’t half bad"
Micro-agressions and bigotry
Break the truth without fracturing white fragility
And sacrifice our bodies as our highest nobility
Y’all killing me, ‘cause that’s not my ministry

(chorus 2x)

(verse two)
My people have a longing for some sense of belonging
In a country that’s treated us so appalling
On my life I feel a calling, a part of a new day dawning
I come from a community that’s sprawling where Black Power isn’t just talking
So listen I ain’t trying to be smart
This ain’t “it wouldn’t be me”, or “bless your heart”
For generations we played our part, followed the rules that we were taught,
In this rat race that we’re caught the fight for freedom ain’t a science, it’s an art
I understand the sentiment to be a part of a grand experiment
But they use us an instrument to our own detriment
Not the best use of my talent, time and temperament
To lead Everyday People to Arrested Development
I’m trying to be the Family Stone
A rock that we can rely on where bigots leave us alone
Some got to fight the war to show that we belong
The days are hard, the nights are long, my ministry is a safe space to come home

(chorus 2x)

(verse three)
We try to please the stars and the stripes
Joining the system might be our kryptonite
We never picked a fight but we all got gripes, white supremacies grip is tight
Avoiding stereotypes fighting for all of your rights
But wait the fight to integrate was not a waste
We showed that we were as capable as any race
That we belong any place, we showed strength we showed grace
My people stared death in the face, pushed back the line I live in that space
For me to not appreciate would be insane
But what do we gain, joining this country that caused us pain
Treats the world with disdain. What’s our end game?
You want me praising its name? For that I wasn’t ordained
I’d rather lift my people up
Prove right the people that we love
Take back energy ’til we equal up
The light that I’m the beacon of, the church that I’m the deacon of
A free Black space you’ll always hear me speaking of

(chorus 4x)