Hill to Die on

Excerpt from Wild Holy Free Newsletter:

In an era when this little Black girl couldn't afford to get her hair done and didn't have cousins who could whip it into shape on the front stoop- Lauryn’s encouragement that I didn't need it, mattered. As a Black girl who couldn't afford to go get her nails done and instead spent 3-4 hours a week doing them myself (proudly!), her lyrics mattered. As a Black girl who wore a stiff, bunchy uniform every day and had to raise my hands to make sure my tummy didn’t show when I was out of uniform- Lauryn’s reassurance mattered. You see, no one was shaming girls with weaves or fake nails or tube tops and daisy dukes- but those of us who couldn’t participate in those trends… we were the ones being made fun of. Then this quirky but cool young Black woman who can rap and sing burst on the stage and said, “you’re okay”. Lauryn owes me nothing

Does Lauryn Hill owe you anything?

Tardy sounds a little too nice and playful, so has her being late as hell to her concerts been worth the ticket purchase?

Welp, let's test out these lyrics, friends. Have they stood the test of time? Were and are they still relevant to dismantling our own miseducation?  

Don't be a hard rock when you really are a gem

Baby girl, respect is just a minimum.

How you gonna win when you ain't right within?

Doo Wop (That Thing)

And I made up my mind to define my own destiny.

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill

What a joy it is to be alive

To get another chance, yeah

Everyday's another chance

To get it right this time.

I Gotta Find Peace of Mind

Let’s love ourselves and we can’t fail

To make a better situation

Tomorrow, our seeds will grow

All we need is dedication.

Everything is Everything

Now I may have faith to make mountains fall

But if I lack love then I am nothin’ at all

I can give away everything I possess

But left without love then I have no happiness.

Tell Him

See, I know what we've got to do

You let go and I'll let go too

'Cause no one's hurt me more than you

And no one ever will

Ex-Factor

See, what you see is what you get

Oh, and you ain't seen nothin' yet

Oh, I don't care if you're upset

I could care less if you're upset

See, it don't change the truth

And your hurt feeling's no excuse

To keep me in this box

Psychological locks

Repressin' true expression

Cementin' this repression

Promotin' mass deception

So that no one can be healed

I don't respect your system

I won't protect your system

When you talk I don't listen

I Get Out

So what's the verdict? Well, it's not just about the lyrics - the cadence, the talent, the music, the stage presence, the experience, what she represents...Lauryn owes me nothing

Goodies

Flo(w): Get Unplugged

Pregnant Pause: Getting Back In My Body!

Body+: It's Always Flu Season For Us

Cravings: Damn That's Delicious