UCLA Bruins

The Black Bruins [Spoken Word] - Sy Stokes

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• published: 05 Nov 2013
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Yes, i am aware that palettes is spelled wrong. I already uploaded the video when I saw the typo lol thx for paying so much attention! https://www.facebook.com/SyStokesSpeaks Being the cousin of Arthur Ashe, I feel as though it is my responsibility to uphold the strong voices of the Black Bruin community. This school has experienced unacceptable instances of injustice recently, and many people are not aware of what is happening at this university. I am a proud Black, Cherokee, and Chinese student at UCLA. Thank you for watching. _________________________________________________________ IG: systokesGSW Filmed by Justin Janes & Steven Ng Written and Performed by Sy Stokes Music Composed by David Teel Editing and Post-Production by Justin Janes The Black Bruins: Alex Mercier Mike Wamungu Davontae Foxx Drew Donte Miller Aaron Willis Amir Ali Mike Bailey Jr. Will Edem Oz Azubuike CJ Okoye EzMoney Harper Lyrics: The Black Bruins In fall 2012, the total enrollment, graduate and undergraduate, for African American males at UCLA was 660 students. That's 3.3% of the 19, 838 other males enrolled here. Out of that 660 African American male students, 65% are undergraduate athletes. The number of entering male freshman students was 2,418; only 48 of them are African American. The graduation rates for African American males at UCLA is 74%... Which means out of that 48 freshmen last year... Only 35 are predicted to graduate. When we were children, we learned how to mix colors with a paint brush We learned that white mixed with anything makes it brighter But we wouldn't dare mix anything with brown or black or else our entire creation would be ruined What we failed to realize... was that the untouched dark section of the paint brush pallet became the symbol of the melanin in our skin The painter only used us to write words that were dark enough to be noticed on a white background So if words are all we are good for then don't you dare tell us to silence our voices when we choose to speak Now you tell me that I should be proud to be at UCLA? When only 35 of us are predicted to walk across that stage? When most of us are dropping out from the lack of financial aid While Judy Olian, Dean of Anderson School of Management just spent $647,000 on first class flights and hotel stays But waiting for an apology is asking for the impossible Because no snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible But you tell me I should be proud to be a Bruin When we have more national championships than we do black male freshmen It's evident that our only purpose here is to improve your winning percentage So now black high school kids can care less about grades, just as long as the number on the back of their jersey doesn't fade And you tell me I should be proud to be a Bruin But according to Professor Sander, 3.3% is far too many black kids On his perfectly paved roads there are far too many black skids This school is not diverse just because you put it on a pamphlet But you'll name a building after Albert Carnesale who publicly opposes affirmative action The action that can make our fraction on your demographic pie chart look more than just a second hand on a clock It's all.... talk Just to maintain this fraudulent reputation Of this institutionalized racist corporation They don't care about the cultural limitations of being a minority in society So we have become our own painters... with our own pallets... And we have voices that speak defiantly So we IGNITE the flames to help us find the path to our future Increasing Graduations, Not Incarcerations, Transforming Education because our numbers can't be any fewer So don't be surprised that we have become rebellious for what has happened to us When every black student in class feels like Rosa Parks on the bus We are tryin to rewind time with role reversal as our revenge Because we have no other choice when the university refuses to come to our defense But we have come too far to let history repeat itself Even when they are peeling off the dark fur of the Bruin pelt Because our faces are just used to cover up from the public what's really inside Revitalizing lies to perpetuate your disguise Stop pretending that the wounds of our past have healed We're not asking for a handout, we're asking for a level playing field Those with less opportunity are fighting for their position trying to find their place But those with privilege are hitting triples when they were already born on third base So with all of my brothers' hopes and dreams that this university has tried to ruin How the hell am I supposed to be proud... to call myself... a Bruin