OUT IN THESE STREETS

I'm a black man in America and you ask am I scared
Scared that at the drop of a dime I'll soon be dead
Red, white and blue acquitting all the boys in blue
Yet you tell me that this country truly loves me too
Don't know who're my allies or wearing disguises
My vice is writing poetic verses to keep my mind clear
To survive here I've learned to accept what I can't change
What's strange is that's hard to do cause I'm a prideful man
I understand that life isn't fair and that's extremely clear
I hear only the strong survive and that's why I'm still here
These past few years have changed me beyond repair
And I keep being told to pass the wheel to Jesus and let him steer
But he sees what's going on here so you tell me
Is the proclaimed son of GOD really down for me
Could it be that we just need something in which to believe
So we hold on to beliefs of being rewarded when we're deceased
Out in these streets I steer clear of all the police
Out in these streets I keep searching for peace
Out in these streets I steer clear of the thuggery
Out in these streets I even watch those who look like me
You start to see things differently when it's knowledge that you seek
Knowledge that strengthens you removing any parts of you that's meek
The powers that be have done well with miseducating my peeps
Keeping many things hidden like Emmit's body in that creek