Separation of powers ensures no one body of our government will get our of hand, in theory, each branch of government acts as a “check” and “balance” to the other

Unlike other forms of government, e.g. dictatorships or monarchies, a government such as ours exists to benefit the people. The people have the right to change the managing members of such a government – vote or die

Government is meant to serve the people, an entity existing for our benefit and protection

In spite of using every resource at their disposal to convince Americans and the world of the need for war, the Bush administration did little to promote broader peace or stability.

Anyone remember poor Colin Powell trying to make the case for war at the UN?

Speaking from the perspective of young, poor and victimized men in poor urban communities, Common uses a play on “rock and roll” with, “when we roll together” or congregate with one another, “we be rocking them to sleep”, we will defeat them.

This line is misquoted by many media outlets as a call to violence against the police. This is not true however, as Common, in the next line rejects the violence that is threatened here.

Philosophically, Common asks his people to “accept” what has been tragically done to them, as bitterness and anger will not change “what’s done”. This line symbolizes the message in this poem: Common understands the anger, pain, frustration and even legitimate right to self defense against and oppressive State, but asks his people to be practical and peaceful in their struggle

Often, those in poor communities who are killed are honored by having their pictures painted on the walls of their neighborhood.

Revolution can also be taken more broadly, from a collective experience that spans from slave revolts to current legal battles. In the context of this cultural legacy, the narrator may appear not as meek as in the previous line. But perhaps the cultural legacy also presents a degree of hindrance in carving out what it means to be black in America.