born and raised inner city LA

a new school, new town, my first day

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Detroit, Chicago, Frisco by the bay

now it's small town USA

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the looks were familiar

they think I'm peculiar

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I've done this before

they want to know more

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they snicker, they whisper, they stare

I got nothing to say, I really don't care

 

five hundred white kids, one big Black

uneven field, diversity they lack

 

school day's over, they're happy and free

I head toward the exit, they're waitin for me

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hey Satchmo, Sammy Davis, drink cola and rum

man you got rhythm, man you be dumb

 

they ripped my shirt and spat in my face

shine shoes dark boy, in a white place

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spin the burr head like he's a top

here's your pail boy, where's your mop

 

can't walk away when enough's enough

they all look rough but are they tough?

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take this, take that, one more to the head

no pulse, no breath, one white boy dead

 

I lost control and made a mistake

I could only take so much hate

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I was taught restraint but I didn't listen

the verdict is guilty, it's life in prison

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Copyright © 2021 Richard Karrel

All rights reserved.

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