Hated since birth
Just because of the way we look,
How can something we can’t control
Be the reason you judge our book…
For so many years
Discrimination we’ve faced,
How can you say we’re one?
When we always lose the race.
The signs have always been there
Since the beginning of time,
They’ve always seen others as good
But bad if you’ve got skin like mine.
Hands up! Don’t move!
They bark orders at us like we don’t understand,
But I’m just as human as you
I’m just a little more tan.
There’s so much more they don’t see
We got up each time we were down,
Even when we were down there
We never arose with a frown.
Each time we leave home
We fear being stopped by a cop,
Please don’t let me die today
Just for being black.
They try to convince us
That because it’s legal it’s right,
But remember so was slavery
And for that, we still have to fight.
With the grip of racism
Groping our necks,
One only can wonder
Which one of us is next.
They turn a blind eye
To our cries and our pleas,
They ignore us when we say
Mama, I can’t breathe.
The names have been so many
How can I single one out?
So, for all my brothers and sisters
No justice, no peace, we shout.
Each time they tried to bury us
It’s a pity they never knew,
That we were the seeds of the master
And so, from the earth, we grew.
Oppressed and beaten
For so many years,
We’ve fought and we’ve rioted
Just to lend us your ears.
It’s cool being black, right?
We’re hip and we’re fun,
But when your blackness is tested
You drop your color and run.
We weren’t born to think this way
It’s instilled over time,
Let’s wipe the slate clean
Starting with our minds.
I wasn’t here when it started
I won’t be here when it ends,
But while I’m here in the middle
With my people, I stand.
