“Lift Every Chair and Swing” Abbott Elementary’s Sheryl Lee Ralph sang in the tune of the Black National Anthem
To recap, there was an event that occurred-on August 5th in Montgomery, Alabama where multiple Black bystanders came to the aid of a Black River Boat Co-Captain.
According to reports, the River Boat, Harriott II was attempting to dock in its designated spot, carrying 227 passengers. They’d waited over thirty minutes. The co-captain found a private Pontoon boat docked in his assigned space. Of course, in this digital age the video went viral showing a group of white men attacking and beating a Black man, identified as Damien Pickett an employee of the river boat operation. Pickett was attacked as he peaceably attempted to get the Pontoon group to move. Richard Roberts, 48; Allen Todd, 23; and Zachary Shipman, 25; face misdemeanor assault charges.
Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph set the tone when she responded to the Montgomery brawl in song, taking the Black National Anthem, utilizing a lyric change and sang the following, “Lift Every Chair and Swing”. As a result of the bruhaha, a white folding chair, a benign piece of furniture became symbolic of revolting against “the oppressor”. Representing the frustration and anger of not only those on the cruise, but that of an entire community.
Even “Big Gretch” rapper Gmac Cash was inspired by the incident to write a song entitled, Montgomery Brawl, “Ayy, I’m really proud of y’all (Montgomery Brawl B&*ch)/ not one but them all (Montgomery Brawl) and the chorus, “Shout out bro with the chair (Montgomery Brawl).
There was also viral internet attention given to the 16-year-old who jumped from the boat to help, in song he was dubbed “The first Black Man to swim to a fight”.
The Black Community is seemingly under assault, with the Supreme Court taking the initiative to end Affirmative Action, Florida’s rewriting African American History. We’re under increasing attacks by MAGA Republicans. Florida’s new Black history curriculum says, “slaves developed skills” that could be used for “personal benefit.”
Okay MAGA Republicans, let’s take it further, perhaps Rosa Parks had forgotten her Dr. Scholl’s inserts and had to sit down because her feet hurt. Harriet Tubman was running a thriving Bed and Breakfast out of Auburn, NY. and Jim Crow was a favorite Disney cartoon character.
