Trapped

I find myself trapped in this paradox

Wondering just where I fit in

Fighting so hard to be judged by the content of my character

Yet still only judged by the color of my skin

Working day and night to prove that I'm worthy

Worthy of freedom

Worthy of self-expression

Worthy of respect

To only be minimized to an adjective

400 years and aint nothing changed yet

Black

Yes, Black I am

Yes, Black i will always be

And yes, I am black and proud

But I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired

Of being just another black man held down

See opportunities have never seemed to avoid me or be held just out of reach of my grasp

But there's always this invisible ceiling

That's always dictating just how high my black ass can grab

I was always told I could be anything

All I gotta do is try hard

Oh, yea and not be too black

That shit keeps tearing away at my insides

So much I wanna do and say but we are trained to fear the systems backlash

So, I choose to hold my tongue and just continue to try and hold back

My southern roots I hate sometimes

Gotta beware of Massas wrath

So, I plot and plan my own mental revolution

To break these chains and remove the curse of the past

I try to focus myself on being conscious

Staying woke, eyes open wide, keep them lashes off my back

They don't want a brother to fly

I can only be fly

Not spread my wings and sore heavenly high

Meet my creator and ask Jah why

Why hast thou grounded me with these earthly burdens.

I don't wanna get high

Just be like the utmost high

Mind elevated to godly status

And sit on a throne somewhere

Somewhat isolated on a mountain side

Contemplating my creation

Avoiding my soul's devastation

While talking philosophically

With others of an enlightened mind

This twisted vision of separation

Sparked by the damning situation

Perpetrated by integration

Has me on some

Let's build our own sovereign nation

And avoid the tyranny of those

Who only see the slaves in us?

With borders not bound by colors

And justice that is just for even us...

I wanna be free

Truly free

So, for now I'll have to settle for the freedom

And peace of my mind