we crave freedom.
The Color of My Skin
A Poem on Blackness.
I. They beat us in the open They incarcerate us to teach us a lesson They shoot us in the back They shoot us because we are black —
II. It doesn’t matter if you’re innocent What matters is the color of your skin It doesn’t matter if you’re fault-free What matters is your pedigree — III. Dead under 22 Is nothing new Black and young They beat us Until we’re numb Shoot me in the back Because I’m black Justice ain’t served Your skin color gives you the nerve —