Middle Of Harlem

Where I'm from the parents had one voice You spoke respectfully when you met an elder Unheard of to not listen to an adult telling you when you were in error We all knew that we were part Of something bigger there Not a day went by when we weren't told Son we're giving you a life here in the Riverton And we've invested in you all our hopes CHORUS There is a place in the middle of Harlem A time and a space called the Riverton 1200 families work in unison To make a good life for them and their young Some came from the Caribbean Or the south to call this place a new homeland This place for celebrating opportunity a chance for a black man Some have made it some are tainted but I realize Our parents sacrificed to help their own And no matter where we are or where the bodies lie We have our memories to keep us strong Basketball, benches, girls in fine dresses Papa called Malcolm X "the one" Fights without guns, get in trouble and run "Sugars" pink Cadillac flashing fun My mother sighed for Adam Clayton Powell The house parties kept moving around And through it all the expectation We wanted to make our people proud Sent to the best schools study don't break the rules They were giving us tools to hold our own Like fixing for war, such a challenge in store Racism pulled at their hearts with force They hoped to save each of us from the pain By teaching self respect and discipline And to this very day I'm thankful For growing up in the Riverton