Black Pope (1970)

Extremely rare 1970 funk rock single by The Ides of March. The band's lead singer and frontman Jim Peterik wrote this song in 1969 to celebrate the election of the first black Pope in history, Pope Reggie Jackson Sr. After the success of the American civil rights movement in the 1960's, Reggie was elected as the new Pope, despite the fact that he was a Protestant from Memphis TN. Many accused Reggie of being a "affirmative action" hire, to which he responded quote "It ain't affirmative action, it's affirmation action. We showing love to all of God's children." Reggie was also known for his witty and humorous rhetoric. After being elected Pope, Reggie declared "Now that the Pope is black, if you atheist, it's cause you a r*cist." Reggie was only Pope for 45 days before he was killed in a tragic Pope-mobile accident.