The notion of Universal Brotherhood took root in black culture via Freemasonry: ''By 1900, Prince Hall masonry had become a forum for politicised African-Americans, with Booker T Washington (1856-1915) and W.E.B. Du Bois
(1868-1963) serving as active members. Throughout the 20th century,
many key figures in the civil rights movement were attracted to
freemasonry. The father of Martin Luther King Jr – Martin Luther King Sr
(1900-84) – was a member of the 23rd lodge in Atlanta, Georgia.'' ( https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jul/02/secret-jazz-freemason-history-duke-ellington-sun-ra ). With the civil rights movement in the 1960s, black culture became a nexus for strong social justice discourse, with several prominent r&b and soul artists becoming eloquent voices for social commentary.
1) Myra - Dancing In The Street (1964)
It's just an invitation across the nation
A chance for folks to meet
There'll be laughing, singing and music swinging
2) Sly & The Family Stone - Everyday People
(Stand! 1969)
I am no better and neither are you
We're all the same, whatever we do
You love me, you hate me
You know me and then
You can't figure out the bag I'm in
I am everyday people
3) The 5th Dimension - Aquarius - Let The Sunshine In (1969)
Harmony and understanding
Sympathy and trust abounding
No more falsehoods or derisions
Golden living dreams of visions
Mystic crystal revelation
4) Curtis Mayfield, Keep On Keeping On (Roots, 1971)
Teach them to be strong, & when they are grown
They can proudly imply that we were an alright guy
For all the wrong now is right
This nation's people are now united as one
5) Marvin Gaye - What's Going On (1971)
We don't need to escalate
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today
6) Bill Withers - Lean on me (1973)
You just call on me brother
When you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you'll understand
7) Why can't we be friends? (War, 1975)
The color of your skin don't matter to me
As long as we can live in harmony
Why can't we be friends?
8) Bee Gees stayin' alive (1977)
Whether you're a brother or whether you're a mother You're stayin' alive, stayin' alive
Feel the city breakin' and everybody shakin'
And we're stayin' alive, stayin' alive
9) Bob Marley - One Love (Exodus, 1977)
One love, one heart
Let's get together and feel all right
Hear the children cryin'
10) Sister Sledge We are family (1979)
We are family I got all my sisters with me Get up everybody and sing Everyone can see we're together As we walk on by and we fly just like birds of a feather I won't tell no lie
11) Sade Why can't we be together (Diamond Life, 1984)
I said: "No matter, no matter what color"
You are still my brother
Everybody wants to live together
Why can't we be together
12) We are the world (USA for Africa, 1985)
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day,
so let's start giving
13) Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers - Brothers & Sisters (1993)
Some are black and brown
Others white and light
That's all the difference
I can remember
But this we must realize
We are all brothers and sisters
14) Beastie Boys Bodhisattva Vow (Ill Communication 1994)
For the sake of all beings I seek
The enlightened mind that I know I'll reap
Respect to Shantideva and all the others
Who brought down the Dharma for the sisters and brothers
15) Angelique Kidjo - "We Are One" 2014
Or am I just one part Of some big plan? Your journey has only begun Is our pride, deep inside We are one Family, family, we are one One family under the sun You will find when you see
16) Mystic - Universal Brotherhood (2021)
It's often been said that, great discoveries
When they come into the lives of men
Affect their attitudes towards men's place in life
Men's views, his philosophy
And there's surely some truth in it

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