Meaning of "Free Your Mind" by En Vogue

The lyrics of "Free Your Mind" explore the theme of prejudice and stereotypes, challenging societal norms and addressing the harmful effects of preconceived notions. The song starts by acknowledging that prejudice is a prevalent issue and that the artists have written a song about it. The repeated phrase "Free your mind" serves as a call to reject stereotypes and open up to a broader perspective.

The first verse challenges the assumptions made based on a person's appearance. The artists mention wearing tight clothing, high heel shoes, and enjoying rap music and hip-hop fashion. They emphasize that these choices do not define their character or involve engaging in illegal activities. By doing so, they challenge the stereotype that someone with a certain appearance is a prostitute or involved in criminal activities.

The lyrics also address racial prejudices. The artists mention having straight hair and dating someone of another race or color, emphasizing that these choices do not diminish their love and pride for their "strong black brothers." This challenges the notion that someone's racial background should limit their interactions or relationships.

The second verse continues to challenge stereotypes and prejudice. The artists mention being a black woman who purchases things with cash, rejecting the assumption that someone with this appearance has bad credit. They express frustration with being constantly watched and judged, highlighting the need to be seen beyond superficial factors.

The overall message of the song is to encourage listeners to free their minds from prejudice and become color-blind. It calls for rejecting shallow judgments based on appearances and instead seeing people for who they truly are. The lyrics suggest that by doing so, the rest of society will follow suit. By questioning and challenging prejudice, the hope is that individuals will learn to see beyond stereotypes and embrace equality.