The Architects of the Soul: Why "We the People" is Incomplete Without Us
For centuries, the phrase "We the People" has acted as the heartbeat of the American experiment. It is a phrase that evokes images of parchment, quill pens, and the high-minded ideals of liberty. But for too long, the interpretation of those three words has been treated like an exclusive club—a gated community of history where some are invited to the gala while others are relegated to the service entrance.
There is a contemporary narrative that suggests a return to a "great" past—a slogan-heavy movement that often feels like an attempt to edit the guest list of American identity. But here is the fundamental truth that no political movement, no textbook revision, and no attempt at erasure can alter: African Americans are not just guests in the house of "We the People." We are the architects who laid the foundation, the laborers who raised the beams, and the soul that makes the structure stand.
Built by Hands They Tried to Hide
To understand why African Americans are inextricably linked to the American identity, we have to look at the literal and metaphorical soil of this nation. The American economy wasn’t built on abstract ideas alone; it was built on the backs of stolen people on stolen land.
From the tobacco fields of Virginia to the cotton kingdoms of the Deep South, the labor of African descendants was the engine of global commerce. We didn't just "participate" in the economy; for a significant portion of this country’s history, our bodies were the economy. But beyond the physical labor, there was the intellectual and creative labor.
- Infrastructure: We built the monuments that people now use as backdrops for political rallies. The White House and the U.S. Capitol were constructed using the skill and sweat of enslaved Black craftsmen.
- Innovation: From the blood bank (Charles Drew) to the traffic light (Garrett Morgan), Black brilliance has consistently moved this country forward, often while being denied the right to vote or even the right to safety.
When people talk about "taking the country back," one has to ask: back to what? If the goal is a version of history where our contributions are footnotes, it isn’t a return to greatness—it’s a descent into fiction.
The Erasure Paradox: You Can't Delete the Foundation
Currently, we are witnessing a wave of "educational reform" aimed at sanitizing history. Books are being pulled from shelves, and "diversity" is being treated like a four-letter word. There is a concerted effort to discount the Black experience or erase the parts of our history that make the comfortable feel uneasy.
But here is the paradox of erasure: You cannot erase the people who wrote the story.
Every time an attempt is made to minimize Black history, the attempt fails because Black history is American history. There is no American music without the Blues, Jazz, Rock & Roll, or Hip Hop—all born from the Black struggle and joy. There is no American cuisine without the influence of the African diaspora. There is no American theology or social justice tradition without the Black Church and the Civil Rights Movement.
To try to erase our history is like trying to remove the oxygen from a room while still hoping to breathe. We are the conscience of this country. We are the ones who have consistently held the mirror up to the face of democracy and asked, "Do you actually mean what you say?"
Reclaiming the Preamble
The phrase "We the People" was originally a promise made by men who owned other men. It was a flawed document written by flawed humans. However, the power of that phrase didn't stay with the founders; it was seized by those who were excluded.
- It was reclaimed by Frederick Douglass, who challenged the nation to live up to its creed.
- It was reclaimed by Fannie Lou Hamer, who was "sick and tired of being sick and tired."
- It was reclaimed by every Black soldier who fought for a "Four Freedoms" abroad that they didn't yet have at home.
When we say "We the People," we aren't asking for permission to belong. We are stating a fact of existence. We have paid our "dues" in blood, sweat, and uncompensated centuries of toil. We don't need a red hat or a specific political banner to validate our citizenship. Our validation is etched into the very DNA of the United States.
The Myth of the "Other"
The current political climate often tries to paint the Black experience as something "extra" or "divisive"—as if acknowledging our specific journey takes away from the "oneness" of the country. This is a tactic of distraction.
Real unity doesn't come from pretending we are all the same; it comes from acknowledging that the "We" in "We the People" is a mosaic, not a monolith. When African Americans are discounted, the entire nation loses its grip on reality. You cannot claim to love the country while hating the people who helped make it. You cannot celebrate "freedom" while trying to suppress the history of the struggle for it.
We Are History
The most powerful response to erasure is presence. We are still here. We are in the boardrooms, the laboratories, the classrooms, and the halls of power. But more importantly, we are in the spirit of every person who believes that "We the People" must include all the people.
"I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother... I, too, am America." — Langston Hughes
Hughes wrote those words decades ago, and they remain the ultimate rebuttal to any movement that seeks to marginalize the Black voice. We aren't just a "part" of the story; in many ways, we are the protagonist. Our survival, our resilience, and our constant push for a "more perfect union" are the most American things about America.
Moving Forward
As we look toward the future, the goal isn't just to be "included" in someone else's version of the American Dream. The goal is to define it. We are the proof that you can be broken and still build; that you can be silenced and still find a way to make the world listen.
No matter the political winds, no matter the attempts to rewrite the curriculum, the truth remains: You can't erase us because we are the ink. You can't discount us because we are the value. We are the "People" in "We the People," and we aren't going anywhere.
Join me in conversation with the lovely Sam Wilson Jr of The Black Soul Music Experience podcast. This was such fun and thank you Sam for the opportunity.
The Audacity of Joy: Finding Your Rhythm in a Challenging World
In an era where the weight of external challenges like social, political, or personal struggles often feels like a physical anchor, the simple act of moving can feel like a radical gesture. We live in a world that frequently demands we stay in our place, follow the prescribed rhythm of the grind, or remain still under the pressure of collective anxiety. Yet, there is a counter narrative found in the soul stirring melodies of legendary artist Sheree Brown. With her forthcoming release, Free To Move on Expansion Records, Brown reminds us that dancing is not just about the steps we take. Instead, it is a profound declaration of freedom.
Who is Sheree Brown?
To understand the weight of "Free To Move," one must understand the woman behind the message. Sheree Brown is far more than a singer songwriter. She is a cultural icon and educator who has spent over four decades weaving soul, jazz, and R&B into a tapestry of healing.
Beginning her career in the early 1980s with Capitol Records, she delivered timeless albums like Straight Ahead and The Music. Her pen has touched some of the most iconic sounds in R&B and Gospel history. This includes co-writing Patrice Rushen’s "Haven't You Heard" and Kirk Franklin’s "Looking for You". Beyond the charts, she is an Emmy nominated producer for her work in youth empowerment and an author dedicated to anti bullying and literacy.
When Sheree tells us we are "free to move," she isn't just offering a catchy hook. She is speaking from a lifetime of using art as a tool for social change and spiritual rejuvenation.
Movement as a Form of Resistance
In a world full of external challenges, dance serves as a versatile form of protest and communication. When we dance, we reclaim our autonomy. We refuse to let the noise of the world dictate our internal tempo.
- Breaking the Linear: While words can be restrictive and polarizing, dance is a universal language that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers.
- Embodied Expression: Every gesture in dance holds a narrative. This allows us to process complex emotions such as the highs and lows of anxiety or the fire of injustice through the physical body.
- Collective Unity: Shared movement fosters trust and reduces prejudice. It creates a prosocial environment where we are defined by our similarities rather than our differences.
The "Messages From The Soul" Connection
"Free To Move" is a standout track from Sheree’s latest project, Messages From The Soul...The Power Of Music. Released through the UK's premier soul label, Expansion Records, this album is the final installment of a trilogy designed to uplift the spirit.
The song serves as a heartbeat for the album's core mission of finding joy through positive action. In a landscape that can feel like a drought of compassion and peace, Sheree’s music acts as a sparkling refreshment. "Free To Move" invites the listener to step into a space of renewal. In this space, the external chaos of the world is momentarily silenced by the internal power of the groove.
Why We Dance Now
Why is it so vital to dance when the world feels heavy? Science and history suggest that movement is essential for our survival and social cohesion.
- Hormonal Transformation: Engaging in dance can trigger hormonal changes that reduce stress in seconds.
- Structural Change: Long term engagement in dance actually strengthens the brain’s white matter. This enhances our ability to express ourselves and manage emotions.
- Social Negotiation: Throughout history, dance has been a tool for maintaining social cohesion and reducing aggression within groups.
When you listen to "Free To Move," you aren't just listening to a Rare Groove or a piece of Soul music. You are engaging in a practice that has sustained humanity for millennia.
Conclusion: Your Turn to Move
Sheree Brown’s legacy is defined by artistic excellence, cultural stewardship, and a consistent commitment to bettering the world through creativity. As she brings her Los Angeles heritage to the soulful dance scenes of London and Europe, she leaves us with a simple yet powerful invitation to find freedom in our movement.
The external challenges will always be there, but they don't have to own your rhythm. Whether you are in your living room, at a soul weekender, or walking down a busy street, remember that you have the audacity to be joyful.
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Featured in a special edition of TRUTH IN RHYTHM, Episode 348: Soul and R&B singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer and educator Sheree Brown! For many music fans, she is best known for her two early 1980s albums, which included session superstars like longtime friend Patrice Rushen, Jerry Hey, Larry Williams, John Robinson, Paul Jackson Jr., Syreeta, Gerald Albright, and Steve Khan, among others. Her more than 100 compositions include Rushen’s classic, “Haven’t You Heard.” Recently, she released her wonderful new album, Messages From the Soul . . . the Power of Music. Including contributions from her husband and children, the project concludes a trilogy of “Message” album and book series that began in 2013. RECORDED DECEMBER 2025
New Anthology Series by Sheree Brown and Douglass Johnson Amplifies Voices of Resilience, Hope, and Healing
Los Angeles, CA – 7th July, 2025 — Celebrated singer-songwriter Sheree Brown and her husband the ‘Dancin’ Deacon’ Douglass Johnson mark a new chapter in storytelling and healing with the launch of their powerful trilogy of anthologies. The first two titles—Messages From The Heart and Messages From The Spirit are now available for digital download at www.shereebrownmusic.com. A third volume, Messages From The Soul, featuring personal testimonies from men, will be released this autumn.
This deeply personal and courageous series gathers real stories from people of all ages and walks of life, addressing the often-silenced battles against adversity, with a focus on mental health, identity, and healing through faith and creativity.
“I wanted to show that we’re not alone in our struggles to exist,” says Brown. “If we can share our stories, we can offer hope to someone who’s struggling in silence—especially in the communities during these pivotal times.”
The first volume, Messages From The Heart, draws inspiration from Brown’s own young adult years and includes a music CD from her acclaimed album Messages From The Spirit...The Collective, which featured the UK Soul Chart #1 hit, “Take A Walk With Love.” This edition focuses on stories from young adult women, exploring themes such as mental health, loneliness, self-worth, and suicide. It also includes practical tools and resources to support emotional recovery.
Accompanied by striking artwork from renowned artist Charles Bibbs, the project combines music, theatre, art, and storytelling as powerful instruments of emotional healing and self-expression.
The upcoming third volume, Messages From The Soul, shifts focus to men’s mental health—an area still plagued by stigma and silence. With men accounting for 75–80% of suicides in the U.S., yet only 30% of those accessing mental health services, this edition aims to confront the cultural barriers that prevent many men from seeking support. As one recent study notes:
“One in 10 men will experience anxiety and depression, yet less than half will receive treatment." (Harvard Gazette)
“Mental health stigma prevents many individuals from receiving appropriate care ... mental health tends to be overlooked in men.” (arXiv.org)
In Brown’s words, “We’re all mentors and mentees in life. You never know when your story becomes someone else’s lifeline. These books were created to spark that connection—and healing.”
For more information or to download the anthologies, visit: www.shereebrownmusic.com and deacondougministry.com.
Media Contact
Sheree Brown featured on SolarRadio.com's Richard Marzetti show's 'Star on 45' feature.
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Watch Sheree Brown interview with Mel Albin of The Sourc Radio & TV ...
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COMING SOON ...
The original "Messages From The Spirit…The Collective" album was released on Expansion Records (UK) in 2020, preceding the anthology that inspired the music. This project was a true labor of love and produced the #1 single “Take A Walk With Love” on the UK Soul Charts. (This is the second installment in the "Messages" trilogy.)
Then came COVID-19, and we were unable to officially launch the accompanying book, "Messages From The Spirit".
Today, I’m thrilled to present this special vinyl edition to celebrate life, reconnect with some of my personal favorites from the original album, and highlight guest artists featured on Side Two. Additionally, this vinyl release spotlights one of my favorite songs from the first album in the trilogy, "Messages From The Heart…An Extension of Love", also released on Expansion Records, accompanied by its own anthology.
This album also previews a track from the upcoming "Messages From The Soul" album, the final chapter in the trilogy, with music inspired by a new anthology of the same name, edited by my husband Douglass R. Johnson Sr. Like the previous books, it shares powerful stories of overcoming life’s challenges, with the music dedicated to those journeys.
“I Choose Love (Jon Redwine Remix)” is a reimagining of the original song, co-written by myself and Patrice Rushen. This remix will be released separately as a single by Jon Redwine, known for his work on Tinashe’s 2014 platinum hit “2 On” and his leadership at RedSound Music Group. Collaborating with Jon—a talented musician, songwriter, and producer who’s worked with artists like Zendaya and Chris Brown—was an absolute joy.
While we may still carry some scars from the trauma of the pandemic, music has the power to heal. This album is my gift to you—and to myself—as I continue to choose love.
Thank you mom, I miss you ….
Sheree
Celebrating life at the world Stage “Historical Leimert Park Village”. August 2nd, 2024. 8:30 pm. If you’re in LA $20 cash, at the door. https://leimertparkvillage.org/. My first live performance in the US since before Covid-19! Join me as I’ll be playing some of the songs I performed back in London, November 2023, and a sneak preview of new music coming.