Young, Gifted and Black: affirming the brilliance of our youths

Watching and listening to Nina Simone over the past few days, first in #SummerOfSoul, and then in #WhatHappenedMsSimone sparked off a barrage of emotions - the good, the bad, and the uncomfortable. The song #YoungGiftedAndBlack (lyrics below) struck a chord (pun intended), many chords in fact. Today, A-level results day, I am inspired by the brilliance of our young and I want them to know the truth of their existence, that they are amazing and enough.

Listening to YG&B, it occurred to me that growing up in Nigeria, affirmation of the brilliance of our young is sparse. Perhaps, because as a populous black nation, this is taken for granted. Our young are sent out into the wider world, to countries where they are in the minority and are confronted with the demand of matching up and fitting in. Small wonder at the increase of mental health issues. No doubt, many of us would feel ‘much more enough’ if we were repeatedly told that ‘when you are young gifted and black,’ ‘your soul is intact’ and indeed being ‘young, gifted and black is where it’s at!’

So, today, I celebrate all our children (those whose results are amazing and even those who didn’t quite make it) and gift them with the words of Nina Simone. As you embark on the next stage of your life adventure, take Nina’s words with you, hold it in your voice and let it dance around your tongue: You’re Young, Gifted, and Black. Congratulations on your achievements. May your lights shine ever brightly. There’s a whole world out there waiting for you. Enjoy!

Young, gifted and black (YG&B)

Oh what a lovely precious dream

To be young, gifted and black

Open your heart to what I mean

In the whole world you know

There's a million boys and girls

Who are young, gifted and black

And that's a fact

"You are young, gifted and black"

We must begin to tell our young

There's a world waiting for you

Yours is the quest that's just begun

When you feelin' really low

Yeah, there's a great truth that you should know

When you're young, gifted and black

Your soul's intact

?

How to be young, gifted and black?

Oh, how I long to know the truth

There are times when I look back

And I am haunted by my youth

Oh, but my joy of today

Is that we can all be proud to say

"To be young, gifted and black

Is where it's at"

Is where it's at

Is where it's at

?

Songwriters: Nina Simone / Weldon Irvine