Search…
Home
Playlists
Songs
Remixes
Search
Culture Ain't Optional by Brandon Benson | Neume
Options for Culture Ain't Optional
Culture Ain't Optional
Brandon Benson
Played 1 time
Play
Culture Ain't Optional
Like Culture Ain't Optional
Dislike Culture Ain't Optional
Options for Culture Ain't Optional
“
”
To whomever holds the power, Listen close — this ain’t just ink on a page, This is a father’s fight, A nation’s wound, A history still unpaid. My name is Brandon Benson, Elspigtog First Nation born, And I’m standing here demanding justice For the children torn from home. They took my babies — Placed ’em in a house where identity is muted, Where foster parents said under oath, In words cold and undisputed: “Indians? We don’t talk about that in our home.” That’s not silence — That’s a strike at the bone, A reminder of every era Where our culture was overthrown. I’ve done everything required — Every class, every test, Every hoop they built to doubt me, I passed every one, But still I’m kept from my kids While assimilation’s being done. So I’m callin’ for intervention — No delay, no hesitation: • Emergency culturally grounded housing support • A reassessment under ICWA-style protections • A review of a placement that rejects my children’s identity outright Because culture ain’t optional— It’s medicine, memory, survival, It’s the drumbeat in our bones That keeps every spirit vital. I’ve attached the court files, The statements, the truth, But understand: This fight ain’t just for my children — It’s for every stolen youth. For the ones who never came back, For the ones still fighting to return, For a future where culture isn’t something We have to beg the system to learn. Act now. For my family. For thousands like us. For truth-telling that’s long overdue.
Lyrics
To whomever holds the power,
Listen close — this ain’t just ink on a page,
This is a father’s fight,
A nation’s wound,
A history still paid.
My name is Brandon Benson,
Elspigtog First Nation born,
And I’m standing here demanding justice
For the children torn from home.
They took my babies —
Placed ’em in a house where identity is muted,
Where foster parents said under oath,
In words cold and undisputed:
“Indians?
We don’t talk about that in our home.”
That’s not silence —
That’s a strike at the bone,
A reminder of every era
Where our culture was overthrown.
I’ve done everything required —
Every class, every test,
Every hoop they built to doubt me,
I passed every one,
But still I’m kept from my kids
While assimilation’s being done.
So I’m callin’ for intervention —
No delay, no hesitation:
• Emergency culturally grounded housing support
• A reassessment under ICWA-style protections
• A review of a placement that rejects my children’s identity outright
Because culture ain’t optional—
It’s medicine, memory, survival,
It’s the drumbeat in our bones
That keeps every spirit vital.
I’ve attached the court files,
The statements, the truth,
But understand:
This fight ain’t just for my children —
It’s for every stolen youth.
For the ones who never came back,
For the ones still fighting to return,
For a future where culture isn’t something
We have to beg the system to learn.
Act now.
For my family.
For thousands like us.
For truth-telling that’s long overdue.
Similar Songs
1
play
Walked Out of the Night
Temitope Fakunle
Play Walked Out of the Night
Like Walked Out of the Night
Dislike Walked Out of the Night
Download Walked Out of the Night
Options for Walked Out of the Night
2
plays
The Anchor Holds
Jeanie Pressley
Play The Anchor Holds
Like The Anchor Holds
Dislike The Anchor Holds
Download The Anchor Holds
Options for The Anchor Holds
5
plays
Crazy In The Best Kind Of Way
Brock Jimson
Play Crazy In The Best Kind Of Way
Like Crazy In The Best Kind Of Way
Dislike Crazy In The Best Kind Of Way
Download Crazy In The Best Kind Of Way
Options for Crazy In The Best Kind Of Way
9
plays
Greatest Audience
Tamsira Nwitua
Play Greatest Audience
Like Greatest Audience
Dislike Greatest Audience
Download Greatest Audience
Options for Greatest Audience
3
plays
You Are My Shelter
Alexander
Play You Are My Shelter
Like You Are My Shelter
Dislike You Are My Shelter
Download You Are My Shelter
Options for You Are My Shelter
2
plays
You're Biding Me Up
Kennedy Wagner
Play You're Biding Me Up
Like You're Biding Me Up
Dislike You're Biding Me Up
Download You're Biding Me Up
Options for You're Biding Me Up
4
plays
Confía En Él
Yanet Serrano
Play Confía En Él
Like Confía En Él
Dislike Confía En Él
Download Confía En Él
Options for Confía En Él
1
play
By His Stripes
Erick Hall
Play By His Stripes
Like By His Stripes
Dislike By His Stripes
Download By His Stripes
Options for By His Stripes
4
plays
Tua Presença Me Sustenta 3
victor hugo mansano
Play Tua Presença Me Sustenta 3
Like Tua Presença Me Sustenta 3
Dislike Tua Presença Me Sustenta 3
Download Tua Presença Me Sustenta 3
Options for Tua Presença Me Sustenta 3
5
plays
Come Home Into My Arms
Dave Burkey
Play Come Home Into My Arms
Like Come Home Into My Arms
Dislike Come Home Into My Arms
Download Come Home Into My Arms
Options for Come Home Into My Arms
1 playTemitope Fakunle
2 playsJeanie Pressley
5 playsBrock Jimson
9 playsTamsira Nwitua
3 playsAlexander
2 playsKennedy Wagner
4 playsYanet Serrano
1 playErick Hall
4 playsvictor hugo mansano
5 playsDave Burkey