Criminal in America

The verdict is guilty

My crime is being a person of color

In America 

There is no greater sin 

Than having colored skin

Because a darker hue signifies "criminal"

It constitutes "thug"

But we're actually casualties

In this war on drugs

If you'd just remove your blindfold

You'd see

Racism doesn't occur subliminally

In America 

My people are blatant victims 

Of this caste system 

This 

Second class system 

There's no such thing 

As a policy deemed 

"race neutral"

These policies are aimed at the removal 

Of black and brown individuals out of the mainstream

In America

Blue lives don't matter to me when they're out here killing my brothers 

We're human beings

So I want you to see us as people first, never mind hierarchies and color

Believe me when I say 

There can be no peace

With racist police

Out here raiding the streets

In America 

I must demonstrate restraint 

Even when the stop and frisk 

Makes me feel judged by my race

I know I risk everything 

By spitting some truths in a white officer's face 

Rather than shout tales of injustice And subordination 

I'll simply say to the officer 

Please don't shoot

Just let me go about

On my happy pursuit