Seeds of Faith
Today, I’m grappling with a multitude of emotions because I question whether we live in a democracy. The American political system seems to be revealing itself for what it has always been – a pay-to-play scheme that gives access to the highest bidder. Wealthy donors are using their coffers to fund Super PACs and influence the political agenda. Dark Money organizations run campaign ads to disseminate misinformation and hoodwink the public. Legal scholars have noted how campaign finance worsens racial inequality. Yet, we’re told our vote matters. I wonder, to what extent? Don’t get me wrong. I believe in voting. I won’t disrespect my ancestors whose blood, sweat, and tears afforded me the opportunity to exercise this right. However, I can understand why some people question the efficacy of voting because how the American political system operates is legally criminal. Though organizations like the Brennan Center for Justice have presented solutions for campaign finance reform, it doesn’t feel like we’re going to see change anytime soon. Remember, it was the Supreme Court that got us into this mess following the Citizens United decision in 2010.
Therefore, I’m left to conclude that our American political system is indeed a democracy in name only. Wealthy donors comprise a shadow government that has tentacles in both political parties, granting them reign over conservative and liberal politicians. Still, it is in these moments that I turn to music, seeking some form of solace. One of my favorite bands is Earth, Wind, & Fire, and I would like to highlight one song that helps me maintain faith in a faithless America – “Keep Your Head to the Sky.” As I reflect on this song, I want you to remember one point. Although the American political system is in shambles, that doesn’t give us the excuse to resign from our obligation to, at the very least, advocate for more democracy and less plutocracy. The odds aren’t in our favor. But then again, when were they ever? Despite the odds, our ancestors planted seeds of faith they knew deep down wouldn’t blossom in their lifetime, but they kept planting. Likewise, we must continue that trend to pay it forward and ensure their efforts were not in vain.
Before I engage “Keep Your Head to the Sky,” I want to discuss the context that gave rise to Earth, Wind, & Fire. In 1967, the so-called “race riots” (they were rebellions against racism) erupted in 1967 across the United States, leading President Lyndon B. Johnson to appoint the Kerner Commission. This group answered three questions: 1.) What happened during the riots? 2.) Why did the riots occur? 3.) What could be done to prevent riots from happening in the future? These questions were unnecessary because the answers were obvious. Nevertheless, the Commission concluded in its report that “Our nation is moving toward two societies, one black, one white – separate and unequal.” It was clear by this point that America was still faithless toward liberty and justice for all. Some thought the Civil Rights Movement was redirecting America’s wayward ways, but doubt was lurking. The Black Power Movement was gaining traction and proved legislation alone wouldn’t change America’s heart.
This turbulent period was the context that produced Earth, Wind & Fire. In 1969, Maurice White formed a group called the Salty Peppers but changed their name to Earth, Wind & Fire in 1970. Historian Trenton Bailey’s book Do You Remember? Celebrating Fifty Years of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses this context. He writes:
Earth, Wind & Fire came of age in the early 1970s, as Black pride became a central element of African American popular music. This was a time when many African Americans were no longer marching and protesting to gain equality as they had during the African American civil rights movement of the 1960s. Instead, several African American artists used music to combat the harsh reality of American society.
As such, Bailey notes that Earth, Wind & Fire aimed to make music that uplifted Black people. He writes:
While many African American musicians were recording songs about the depressing social conditions in America, such as war, poverty, and racism, Earth, Wind & Fire recorded songs about love and freedom from life’s troubles. Although African Americans were living in an oppressive society, EWF chose to record songs about good times and infinite possibilities. Maurice White wanted to uplift humanity, so he created a band that represented universal truths. Those truths include love, wisdom, and justice.
The amount of money billionaire families poured into the 2024 election cycle is disheartening. There were 150 families that spent $1.9 billion on presidential and congressional candidates, which is $700 million more than the 2020 election cycle. I think it’s safe to assume these billionaire families aren’t donating this money for liberty and justice for all. No, they’re funding political prostitution that safeguards their interests at our expense. In spite of their capture of our political system, the words of Earth, Wind, & Fire inspire me to free myself from life’s troubles. “Keep Your Head to the Sky” encourages us to personify a metaphysical transcendence that empowers our being. White wrote this song, noting it was inspired by a spiritual experience he encountered as he struggled with his purpose. This is apparent in the first verse, but he outlines his breakthrough in the second verse:
He gave me the will to be free…
Purpose to live His reality…
Hey, and I found myself never alone…
Chances came to make me strong…
To step right up and be a man…
‘Cause you need faith to understand…
So we’re saying for you to hear…
Keep your head in faith’s atmosphere
Though “Keep Your Head to the Sky” is about White’s own spiritual experience, it gave hope to Black Americans. As I reflect on this song, I believe our ancestors embodied this verse. They knew their purpose wasn’t to be racially oppressed, so they continually and consistently opted to maintain faith in a faithless America. They refused to be the walking dead – physically alive yet mentally unalive. They kept their head to the sky and planted seeds of faith.
We’re the beneficiaries of these seeds, and it’s our responsibility to keep planting them despite the current state of the American political system. Our people were enslaved, but they kept planting seeds of faith. Our people were legally segregated, but they kept planting seeds of faith. They did more than plant tobacco, sugar, rice, and cotton. They did more than plant their feet on the pavement as they marched for civil and human rights in the Satanic South and Neglectful North. They planted seeds of faith. Never forget we come from a people who kept planting and continue to plant seeds of faith. So, how do we plant in this day and age? Let me think about that, and I’ll get back to you. I just wanted to pull up on your device and encourage you to “Keep Your Head to the Sky” and plant seeds of faith.
~ One Negro, 12-17-24
Photo by Jonathan Kemper on Unsplash