Favorite Song associated black culture and politics...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOgfRCqT7Po
Artist - India Arie
Album - Various Songs
Lyrics - Because I Am A Queen

(oh yeah)
sometimes i shave my legs and sometimes i don'tsometimes i comb my hair and sometimes i won'tdepend on how the wind blows i might even paint my toes it really just depends on whatever feels good in my soul

i'm not the average from your videoand i ain't built like a supermodelbut i learned to love myself unconditionallybecause i am a queeni'm not the average from your videomy worth is not determined by the price of my clothesno matter what i'm wearing i will always be india arie

when i look in the mirror and the only one there is me every freckle on my face is where it's supposed to beand i know my creator didn't make no mistakes on me my feet my thighs my lips my eyes i'm loving what i see

i'm not the average from your videoand i ain't built like a supermodelbut i learned to love myself unconditionallybecause i am a queen (yeah)i'm not the average from your video (woo)my worth is not determined by the price of my clothes (whoa)no matter what i'm wearing i will always beindia arie

am i less of a lady if i don't wear hose my mama said a lady ain't what she wears but what she knows but i've drawn the conclusionit's all an illusion confusion's the name of the game a misconception a vast deception,something's got to change

don't be offended this is all my opinionain't nothing that i'm saying lawthis is a true confessionof a life-learned lessoni was sent here to share with y'allso get in when you fit ingo on and shineclear your mindnow's the timeput your salt on the shelfgo on and love yourself (love yourself)'cause everything's gonna be alright (love yourself)

i'm not the average from your videoand i ain't built like a supermodelbut i learned to love myself unconditionallybecause i am a queen (yeah)i'm not the average from your video (woo)my worth is not determined by the price of my clothes (whoa)no matter what i'm wearing i will always beindia arie

keep your fancy drink and your expensive minksi don't need that to have a good timekeep your expensive carsand your caviarall's i need is my guitarkeep your cristal and your pistoli'd rather have a pretty piece of crystaldon't need your siliconei prefer my ownwhat god gave me is just fine(oh hah hah hah)

i'm not the average from your videoand i ain't built like a supermodelbut i learned to love myself unconditionallybecause i am a queen (yeah)i'm not the average from your video (woo)my worth is not determined by the price of my clothes (whoa)no matter what i'm wearing i will always be india arie

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This is the first India Arie song I ever heard, and I have always liked the song. She talks about how she is not the average girl, she does things differantly, is a free spirit and does what she wants. India says she is not a girl from a video, she loves herself unconditionally because she does not determine her worth by her clothes. She then goes on to talk about how confusion is used to decieve people and that needs to change.

I think this song is anti-rap and negative black society, and instead has a positive political and social idea to love oneself, and not worry about bodily imperfections. I always just enjoyed India's voice and rythmn and when you read the lyrics it sends a powerful message to love oneself. In her music video for the song, she walks outside with her backside facing the camera and there is a sticker on her jeans saying "love oneself."

India Arie is a positive role model and advocate for the black community and uses her music to be an outlet for that emotion. I think this song gives a great message to love life, and be positive no matter the circumstances and this is why I like this song.