Black
40 Lyrics

They put their club upside your head
Police brutality begins with an unprovoked attack on a Black person, using excessive force.

And then turn around and accuse you of attacking them
The police unjustly blame the victim for their own violent actions.

Every case of police brutality against a negro follows the same pattern
Racial profiling and police brutality against Black people are systemic and rooted in a pattern of abuse and oppression.

They attack you, bust you all upside your mouth
The police use violence and physical force to subjugate and intimidate Black people.

And then take you to court and charge you with assault
The police continue their unjust treatment by falsely accusing and charging innocent Black victims with fabricated crimes.

What kind of democracy is that?
This is not a fair and just democracy if the system allows police brutality and the abuse of power against Black people.

Although it's uncertain times I still smile
Despite the challenges and obstacles faced by Black people, there is still room for positivity and a sense of hope for the future.

Social injustice and racial profile
Institutionalized racism and discrimination remain deeply entrenched in American society, leading to ongoing social injustice and racial profiling against Black people.

Forty acres and a mule
The promise of land and reparations for slavery to help rebuild Black communities was never fully realized, leaving generations of Black people without adequate support and resources.

Black history should be a mandatory class in school
A better understanding and appreciation of Black history and culture is essential for educating future generations and combating racism and prejudice.

Strong-minded, solid like granite
Despite centuries of oppression and marginalization, Black people remain resilient and steadfast in their pursuit of freedom and equality.

We the most forgiving human beings on the planet
Despite the ongoing harm and mistreatment, Black people have demonstrated immense forgiveness and compassion in the face of adversity.

They the raped the men in our family in front of wives
Black families have suffered deeply from the violent and systematic destruction of Black male bodies, further dehumanizing and traumatizing both the victims and their loved ones.

Tried to make us look weak in front of our kids, dehumanize
White supremacy has strategically worked to undermine the strength and dignity of Black families, perpetuating harmful stereotypes to justify their oppression.

And our leadership hella devil-sent
Some Black leaders have been co-opted or corrupted by the system, perpetuating the cycle of oppression rather than fighting for true liberation and equality for their people.

Got in the white house by trolling our only black president
The election of a Black president did not signal the end of racism and discrimination, as many continued to perpetuate racialized hatred and intolerance even at the highest levels of government.

Brainwashed our people, say, "What Obama do for black people?"
Some Black people have been manipulated or misled into believing that the first Black President did not do enough to address systemic racism and inequality in America.

Me personally, I wanna fade
The constant stress and trauma of living in a society that devalues Black lives can be overwhelming and exhausting.

Fell out with so-called friends 'cause they drunk the Kool-Aid
Some people have been fooled or brainwashed by systemic racism to the point where they have turned against their own community and perpetuated harmful stereotypes.

They whipped us and hung us up on a tree
The history of slavery and lynchings in America is a gruesome reminder of the country's brutal and violent past towards Black people.

Lit us on the fire so the community could see
White supremacists have literally burned Black bodies as a means of terrorizing and controlling Black communities, leaving a lasting legacy of fear and trauma.

(Black is beautiful) black is beautiful (Set our warriors free) set our warriors free
Black people are beautiful and strong, and have been unfairly targeted and oppressed by the system for too long. It is time to set them free.

It's crazy how my beautiful skin Could get me strapped up, strung up, swung in the wind
The color of one's skin should not determine their fate, yet Black people continue to face systemic racism and violence simply because of their appearance.

Tasered, maced, and cuffed, arm under my chin Kneeled on, wheeled on, call for mama again
The police continue to use excessive force and subjugate and intimidate Black people, even resorting to tactics like kneeling on their necks or using chemical weapons.

Dragged from the back of a pick-up for people to see
The history of lynching in America has included gruesome acts like dragging a Black person behind a vehicle, perpetuating the dehumanization and degradation of Black bodies.

K-9 that bite down, now there's flesh in their teeth
The police have used dogs to inflict further harm and injury upon Black people, often resulting in severe and permanent damage.

Douse me in gas, burn the ash and left in the streets
The horrific and brutal act of burning Black bodies has been used as a means of terrorizing and intimidating Black communities in America.

And even then, some white folk'll take a picture with me
Despite the brutality and violence inflicted upon Black people, some white people continue to perpetuate harmful and racist stereotypes, even finding entertainment and amusement in posing for photographs with Black victims.

My beautiful skin could also get me thrown on a boat
The history of slavery has included the forced displacement and transportation of Black people across vast distances, highlighting the deep-rooted oppression and devaluation of Black lives.

Live by the flow, my name, chain, culture revolt
Black people have been systematically oppressed and devalued for centuries, but continue to resist and fight back against this oppression through their culture, heritage, and powerful human spirit.

Pray to the heavens 'cause hell on earth is all that I know
The ongoing violence, trauma, and oppression faced by Black people can feel like an unbearable burden, leading to feelings of hopelessness and despair.

My skin made it where I got nowhere to go
Institutionalized racism and systemic oppression have limited the opportunities and mobility of Black people, making it difficult to escape the cycle of poverty and marginalization.

When my people were trying to escape, they either killed or they captured us
The history of slavery in America has included countless instances of capture, subjugation, and violent repression, leaving lasting generational trauma and pain.

And now they got the nerve to tell me, "Go back to Africa"
Despite centuries of slavery and oppression at the hands of white colonizers, Black people are still unfairly targeted and told to "go back where they came from," perpetuating harmful and racist attitudes.

African-american, my ancestors died for it
The legacy of slavery and oppression in America has left a lasting impact on Black people, who often must carry the weight of generational trauma and pain.

So fuck them racist motherfuckers, I'ma ride for it
Despite ongoing oppression and hatred, Black people must continue to resist and fight for their own liberation and empowerment.

Black is gold, black is beautiful to me
Blackness is beautiful and valuable, yet has been unfairly devalued and oppressed by the system for centuries.

Behold the shine, set our warriors free
It is time to recognize and celebrate the strength and resilience of Black people, and work towards securing their freedom and liberation from systemic oppression and violence.