原句如下:"Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around, when yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right. That all those who do justice and love mercy say Amen. Say Amen."
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I just heard on my local radio that a lot of people, especially Asian americans called the program that they are offended by the remark. A black man called later(he sounds old, at least 50 and older) and explained that Rev. Lowery's remark was borrowed from a song lyric in 1960s. He cited the lyric and the name of the song and said it was cynical song, hinting different color of black men get different treatment on bus. He said from his knowledge of black history and culture that these "colorized" remark got nothing to do with other races but black. Program host asked him what it means by " yellow will be mellow", he said it has no negative but positive meaning, meaning you as light-skin black is much more receptible to white society.
