I Am - Somebody - Definition

I Am - Somebody is a poem by Reverend Jesse Jackson, which he recited on Sesame Street in 1971. This inspirational free verse poem was unparalleled with anything ever attempted on children's television in content and delivery, and to an extent still is. The poem fulfilled Sesame Street 's initial curriculum for serving the under-privileged city youth, as well as offering cultural understanding. Kids of all races were scattered all over the Sesame Street set, on the street, benches, fire escapes, led by Jackson in the poem.

The following is this poem, in the original structure as written by Reverend Jackson. Lines of "I am/Somebody" or "But I am/Somebody" were recited both by the children and Jackson.

I am

Somebody

I am

Somebody

I may be poor

But I am

Somebody

I may be young

But I am

Somebody

I may be on welfare

But I am

Somebody

I may be small

But I am

Somebody

I may make a mistake

But I am

Somebody

My clothes are different

My face is different

My hair is different

But I am

Somebody

I am black

Brown

White

I speak a different language

But I must be respected

Protected

Never rejected

I am

God's child