Now we demand a chance to do things for ourselves
We're tired of beating our head against the wall
And working for someone else

from James Brown – Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud Lyrics on Rap Genius

James Brown’s personal politics were, even at their most militant (as here), tied to the existing system. As with many self-made millionaires, he had an abiding belief in hard work and free enterprise, and this belief sometimes led him to make strange political bedfellows

In 1972, he endorsed Richard Nixon for President due to Nixon’s support for affirmative action, explaining years later:

‘You can’t change a house from outside,’ I said. ‘You have to be inside the house. That’s why I endorsed Mr. Nixon. I’m trying to sell us in. I’m trying to put pressure on the government not to forget about us’

This endorsement brought protest by some fans, who held signs outside of concerts saying “James Brown — Nixon’s Clown”

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