We might not be
A.I.P. Lyrics

I won't tell you that it's gon' be ok
I won't give you false hope when everything seems doomed.

And I can't see the sun through all the darkened rays
Everything seems bleak and hopeless, and I can't find any positivity in the situation.

I don't claim to have the answer, it's more than some can say
I'm not pretending to know how to fix everything, which is more than many others can say.

It might not be ok
Things may not turn out fine in the end.

Mommas been cryin' and they gon' keep cryin'
Mothers have been mourning their children's deaths, and unfortunately, this seems to be an ongoing reality.

Black folk been dyin' and they gon' keep dyin'
Black people have been getting killed, and there doesn't seem to be an end in sight.

Police been firin' and they gon' keep firin'
Police have been using excessive force, and it doesn't seem like it's going to stop anytime soon.

The government been lyin' and they gon' keep lyin'
The government has been deceiving the public, and there's no indication that they will stop.

Propaganda news channels, that shit is all for show
Many news channels are more concerned with entertainment than providing accurate information, which is particularly harmful in times of crisis.

Camera phone videos is like all we know
The only way for many people to see what's happening is through the lens of someone's camera phone.

Diluting what an eye witness might really say
Media outlets may twist or downplay the accounts of witnesses to fit a certain narrative.

Because the whole world saw a murder yesterday
When a death is captured on video and shared globally, there's no denying what happened.

Now your account ain't what it used to be
Even if you witness something firsthand, your account may be dismissed or discredited based on factors like bias or lack of authority.

According to them your eyes can't adjust to the violence you ain't used to see
Some may argue that those who are not accustomed to violence cannot accurately report on incidents they witness.

Police brutality is all in your mind
Officials may dismiss reports of police brutality as figments of people's imaginations or exaggerations.

And the tactics that they use only look worse in rewind
When incidents are analyzed in slow motion or from multiple angles, it's clear that some police tactics are excessive and dangerous.

And people die everyday, you should get used to it
Some may argue that violence is so ubiquitous that people shouldn't be so affected by it.

Hands behind yo' back, face down, and still say you shootin'
Some police officers apply deadly force even when a suspect is restrained or not posing a threat.

Can't breathe
One of the most haunting phrases uttered by those who have died at the hands of law enforcement.

Knee where your neck be like why you movin'?
In incidents like George Floyd's death, police officers applied pressure to the neck or back, which can be fatal.

Kids in your car and they on like what you doin'?
Even children can witness or be victims of police violence and intimidation.

Like why you chillin'? Fuck yo' feelin's
Police may use aggressive tactics or language to intimidate people during encounters.

Why you smilin' when I'm so serious?
Officers may view calm or cheerful demeanor as a sign of disrespect or insubordination.

I ain't patrolling your space, like why you livin'?
Police may target people simply for existing in certain spaces or for being a perceived threat to property values.

Stop asking questions, why you filmin'?
Law enforcement may not want their actions recorded, so they may lash out at those filming incidents.

You look suspicious, I think you dealin'
Some police officers may target people who look a certain way or exhibit certain behaviors, even if there's no empirical evidence of wrongdoing.

Step out the car, fit the description
Police may target people based on vague descriptions, including things like race, gender, or clothing.

Someone I feel, I need a killing
Some police officers may have a predisposition towards violence or may seek out situations in which they can legally use deadly force.

Blood on the curb, I didn't spill it
Police may use deadly force and then absolve themselves of responsibility by arguing that the suspect posed a threat.

'Nother civilian, 'nother not guilty
Many police officers who use deadly force are not held accountable for their actions.

'Nother T-shirt, 'nother rap lyric
Even when people die tragically, their stories may be reduced to slogans or catchphrases.

'Nother life gone, I can't forgive it
Despite the prevalence of violence and tragedy, it's difficult to completely come to terms with the loss of human life.