When everyone wept, my face remained bare.
People in shock, still in pain
Grieving the child that was lost that day.

A numb state of mind
Beats the agonizing pain.

To me the day was ordinary, it was all the same
Insanity running vulgar with not one person to blame.

But, might I ask …
What do you see when you look at me?
Nappy? Ignorant?
Ghetto? A Gangster?
An Enemy? – Reckless?!
I’m a nigg—

You got us by a string
and never let go.
And inch us on so we won’t feel the string
As if we’re free
Get too comfortable, so you snatch us back.
Take back control.

Back, BOP! Back, BOP!
Head, SHOT! Back, BOP!
He got SHOT —
We a target?

So we wear a white tee and jeans
So it’s easier to see the blood runnin’ down the seam
For only the court to deem “not guilty”

I surrendered, at eight years old
I know my fate.
As I wait, I wear white every day
Just enough to become a tired cliché.