Words Matter
Words are just words
"It's not that deep"
But check the dictionary and you'll discover they have meaning.
Words are just words but check your history
And you'll discover they have weight.
Words are just words but step into our skin
And you'll discover they have impact.
Some words will never just be words
That's not my opinion- that's a fact.
"Freedom of speech" is a phrase used too often by people who have always had a say
And its funny to say you have a right to say Nigga
You compare our struggle
to "trailer trash" and "redneck"
and call it the same
Our names were given to us
you gave yours to yourself
so how can you complain?
Everyone is drowning in their own struggles.
but it's the sympathy Olympics.
Why are you trying to win
a sport where we’ve been running from the podium.
Only to be dragged back to perform. Again.
When I'm trying to explain to you why
I deserve to walk on this earth
Check your ego the door because it isn't about you.
And your pride stuffed with guilt
I'm trying to communicate
So let my words drum against your ears
and reverberate into your mind.
I know you can hear me
And I know you witness my struggle
even when you claim to be colour-blind because you see my blackness can see
right through you.
You say you're against all hate
but when I say
“We are in pain”
I see how you hesitate.
My words are lost.
Instead of understanding what our freedom has cost.
You stand ready with
Your hammer of racism
Coated in your spray tan justice
waiting to smash the movement to pieces.
Anything to excuse why you won’t stand with us.
While the police keep the peace by gunning
Down family members in the streets
For selling CDs
I'm afraid one day
that's how they'll remember me.
Another statistic written off
even as I surrendered on my knees
You took yours, slammed them into my neck
As I gasped for air
I. CAN'T. BREATHE.
So please try tell me it's not that deep.
While you give your kids "the talk"
I'll be giving my 7 year old a 101 on how
to cooperate with police.
But I could tell my children whatever I want
I can tell them to stand strong or I could tell them to be afraid.
I can them they're not wrong but
No matter what you do:
"Keep your head down."
I could tell them that they are beautiful
But to shine only at home.
I could tell them to stand tall
But only in the shadows
I could warn them that before they are beautiful, they must remember they are Black
I could warn them till their ears bleed
But that’s better than being beneath society’s knee
because it is that deep
so say it
because I guess you're right: words don't matter
