I Am Somebody

I Am - Somebody is a poem by Reverend Jesse Jackson, which he recited on Sesame Street in 1971. This inspirational free verse poem was unparalleled with anything ever attempted on children's television in content and delivery, and to an extent still is. The poem fulfilled Sesame Street's initial curriculum for serving the under-privileged city youth, as well as offering cultural understanding. Kids of all races were scattered all over the Sesame Street set, on the street, benches, fire escapes, led by Jackson in the poem.
The following is this poem, in the original structure as written by Reverend Jackson. Lines of "I am/Somebody" or "But I am/Somebody" were recited both by the children and Jackson.

I am
Somebody
I am
Somebody
I may be poor
But I am
Somebody
I may be young
But I am
Somebody
I may be on welfare
But I am
Somebody
I may be small
But I am
Somebody
I may make a mistake
But I am
Somebody
My clothes are different
My face is different
My hair is different
But I am
Somebody
I am black
Brown
White
I speak a different language
But I must be respected
Protected
Never rejected
I am
God's child

Reference
Original Text