No Change No Hope

No one can truly be free until we all can be
We can not preach equality if killer cops continue to be free
Why is black life of no value in this country?
Our president is black but where was he when Mike Brown was slaughtered in the street
No where to be, no where to see
Just a black man living in a white house
The only thing he's contributed to is a widespread inequality: a stronger color blind society.

Mr. Officer

Flashing lights in the rearview window

Here we go again

Whoop whoop, the sound of the police 

10 seconds later it’s like I'm pleading for my life

Hand on his gun as I roll down my window

Heart beating of fear

Is my end near?

The plead for my life starts here

He questions me as if I am not a citizen of this country

Are you a felon?

Is your car stolen?

Is there a warrant for your arrest?

Do you have any weapons on you?

Don't move sit still. You might be next

Deep breath and I sigh, finally I have a chance to reply

I'm doing nothing wrong - I'm shaking as I testify

Filled with anger, but one wrong move and I will be in heaven listening to my mother cry

I show my Cal Berkeley ID, and soon he lets me be.

No ticket, no warning- it's like he pulled me over just for fun

Another day being a brother navigating the code of the street

I am an intellectual person of color, yet that’s something he did not see.

If I had a chance today, this is what I would say

Mr. officer

You are asking me this before you even justified the reason for why you pulled me over.

But why did you pull me over?

Is it because I am a person of color?

Is it because I have the mark of a slave?

Am I a thug driving around at 2:30 in the morning in my 1992 car that I could barely afford?

I bet you didn't know I was coming home from work, yes, a young brother making a honest dollar.

A honor student, an athlete, at the worlds best public university.

Be careful the next time you racially profile me

My intellect and poise is more powerful than your badge and gun

I know you want me to be another statistic, another dead black son

I've dealt with racism my whole life, as much as you want, your intimidation won't make me one

Thankfully I was calm on that dark Berkeley night

I can still see my mom, but I still walk with fright

So I have a question to ask to society

Is it really my Berkeley police?

I pay my taxes

Yet they've never protected me

Only contributed to my anxiety.