MY TRUTH: Yes We Must Must

By Cheryl Smith

As I sat in my room this past Sunday morning, I received the news of the passing of Anita Pointer, of the legendary Pointer Sisters.

I immediately thought back to my high school years and that hit song, “Yes We Can Can.” I recalled how I would sing along with those sisters: Ruth, June, Bonnie and Anita.

They had many other chart topping songs and I absolutely loved their energy, talent, beauty and stage presence; as well as their outfits.

It’s interesting to note that this year marks the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop music because some might say that the Pointer Sisters’ “Yes We Can Can” fit right in with some of the greatest rap songs of all time.

Just check out the lyrics:

Now’s the time for
all good men
To get together
with one another
We got to iron out
our problems
And iron out our quarrels
And try to live as brothers

And try to find peace within
Without stepping
on one another
And do respect the
women of the world
Remember, you all
had mothers

We got to make this
land a better land
Than the world in
which we live
And we got to help
each man be a better man
With the kindness
that we give

I know we can make it
I know darn well,
we can work it out
Oh, yes, we can,
I know we can, can
Yes, we can, can,
why can’t we?
If we wanna,
yes, we can, can

I know we can
make it work
I know that we can
make it if we try
Oh, yes, we can,
I know we can, can
Yes, we can great-gosh
almighty
Oh, yes, we can,

I know we can, can
And we gotta take
care of all the children
The little children
of the world
‘Cause they’re our
strongest hope for the future
The little bitty
boys and girls

We got to make this
land a better land
Than the world in
which we live
And we gotta help
each man be a better man
With the kindness
that we give

I know we can make it
I know, darn well
we can work it out
Oh, yes, we can,
I know we can, can
Yes, we can, can,
why can’t we?
If we wanna, yes,
we can, can

The Pointer Sisters sang this song 50 years ago. Here’s a shout out to songwriter Allen Touissant.

Which brings me to my truth.

People flew from around the country to the nation’s capitol to witness the swearing in of elected members of Congress and the Senate.

I sincerely hope those trips were for more than one day, especially for those thinking they would witness history on Tuesday because unfortunately the official swearing in for members of Congress takes place after the House Speaker has been elected and the day ended without that happening.

After several votes, Congress adjourned about 5p,m., without a victor. Even though Congressman Kevin McCarthy’s (R-CA) party has a majority in Congress, some of his Republican colleagues re- fused to give him the victory.

Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) outpolled McCarthy three times but did not receive the necessary majority of votes, with 20 eventually going to Congressman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio).

The polling has been called embarrassing, dysfunctional, and unproductive, while others are saying maybe this will be the straw that is needed to get the country moving in the right direction.

What does the “right direction” look like?

Good question.

Could now be the time that the Pointer Sisters were singing about? I kinda think that the time is long overdue.

Further, if the foolishness continues by those elected and expected to do the right thing, 50 years from now some of the same shenanigans will be occurring and someone else will be writing of those times and hoping things will get better for future generations.

While the “time” didn’t happen in Anita Pointer’s lifetime, I have to feel as the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson and “Keep Hope Alive,” and I also have to believe as President Barack Obama, who said, “Yes We Can.”

I’ll even go further and say, if we want there to be a future, everyone had better do as comedian David A. Arnold, who we lost last year said,“GYST!”

In reality, we have no choice. We heard “yes We Can Can,” “Yes We Can,” and now the message is, “Yes, We Must!”