The Revolution Will Not Be Televised Song by Gil Scott-Heron ‧ 1971, Quoted by Kendrick Lamar in his Superb 13-Minute Super Bowl Sunday 2025, Half-Time Show

This statement appears in a poem by Gil Scott-Heron (April 1, 1949 – May 27, 2011), a man whose work deeply influenced social consciousness. Kendrick Lamar quoted it during his masterful performance on Super Bowl Sunday (https://bit.ly/3XmUL0L). Had Black people drawn more inspiration from Gil Scott-Heron and other activists and poets of his era, their challenges might have unfolded differently. They should be more hands-on in their revolutionary quest for deliverance from system oppression.

Moreover, if Black consumers studied and emulated the Black Wall Streets of the past, they could foster greater prosperity by building conscientious, self-sustaining communities. Close-knit communities working for the collective good could direct their economic power inward—investing in resources that create lasting financial solvency. With Black consumer spending power estimated at $1.6 to $1.98 trillion, there is immense potential to cultivate economic independence.

However, to harness this power effectively, Black communities must turn from equating material possessions with self-worth, identity, knowledge, agency, or personal power. A shift toward valuing quality over quantity would ensure that this spending power translates into something tangible and enduring.

PushBack advocates for having “boots on the ground”—actively engaging in economic and social progress—rather than being consumed by desk jobs, digital distractions, entertainment, and television. This wisdom, though paraphrased, remains a crucial call to action.

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Annotations:

1. https://bit.ly/3QylOTf. Black Consumer Spending Power: The Black Wall Street article highlights that Black buying power in the U.S. is projected to reach approximately $1.98 trillion by 2025, reflecting a steady increase that underscores the economic influence of the Black community.

2. https://bit.ly/3EWgsyp. Economic Influence in Key Sectors: Nielsen's report, "Black Impact: Consumer Categories Where African Americans Move Markets," emphasizes that Black consumers significantly influence various markets, including beauty, personal care, and media. This influence showcases the community's substantial role in shaping trends and driving economic growth.

3. https://mck.co/41wX6IW. Opportunities for Growth and Equity: McKinsey & Company's article, "The state of Black consumers: An opportunity for growth and equity," discusses the projected expansion of Black consumers' collective economic power from about $910 billion in 2019 to $1.7 trillion by 2030. The article also highlights the importance of integrating racial equity goals into consumer businesses to better serve Black consumers and address existing disparities.

4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwSRqaZGsPw; https://youtu.be/Xh08PtK-NoE?si=kUy0A0VZW6yoH0dm. "The Revolution will not be Televised," a song on Gil Scott-Heron's 1971 Album "Pieces of a Man". Stanza 1 of the lyrics: You will not be able to stay home, brother/You will not be able to plug in, turn on and cop out/You will not be able to lose yourself on skag/And skip out for beer during commercials, because/The revolution will not be televised. The second link is Gil Scott-Heron telling “His-Story" or the truth that whites whitewashed. Every line rhymes. Heron penned his creations for the most part. He created or wrote this The Revolution ~~. He was a prolific poet- songwriter; as Kendrick Lamar is today. The lyrics to the song are haunting being so true to the freedom struggle.