But as I grew older, I realized she was dropping a truth that stretches from the dirt roads of the past to the neon lights of today.
By: Terry Allen
Big Mama used to sit on the front porch in her folding chair, tilt her head, raise her eyebrows, point her fingers to an imaginary individual and say, “Baby, how you gon’ win when you ain’t right within?” Back then, I thought she was just talking about folks who lied to themselves. But as I grew older, I realized she was dropping a truth that stretches from the dirt roads of the past to the neon lights of today. Lauryn Hill turned that wisdom into an anthem, and the question still echoes: how can you expect to succeed, find peace, or claim victory when the foundation of your spirit is shaky?
History has always been a mirror reflecting contradictions. America, the land of the free, built on the backs of enslaved people. Leaders preaching justice while denying basic rights to others. The cracks in that facade show up every generation. Now, we don’t need dusty history books to see the hypocrisy—it’s in high-definition videos, viral tweets, and 24-hour news cycles.
Take for example political leaders who wave the flag of “family values” while their private lives reveal scandals and moral failures. They preach integrity from podiums but fail to live it behind closed doors. How you gonna win when you ain’t right within?
Look at the corporate world, where companies put out glossy diversity statements during Black History Month, yet their boardrooms lack a single face of color. Like They hashtag “equity” but like one of my former employers, silence employees who demand real change. How you gonna win when you ain’t right within?
Or consider social justice movements led by voices who claim to fight for the people, yet their actions are self-serving, chasing fame over true reform. When the cause becomes more about clout than community, the mission crumbles. How you gonna win when you ain’t right within?
Big Mama’s words were simple, but they were never small. Whether it’s a nation, a leader, a corporation, or an individual—success built on shaky ground won’t stand long. You can’t fix the outside without healing the inside. Like Lauryn Hill sang, “Come again… come again.” Maybe it’s time we all did just that. So on behalf of my grandmother… “Mic drop; Big Mama out!”
Photo credits: Amirah Thomas
Big Mama: Terry Allen
Terry Allen is an NABJ award winning Journalist, DEI expert, PR professional, and founder of the charity – Vice President at FocusPR, Founder of City Men Cook, and Dallas Chapter President of NBPRS.org
