American Terrorist F. Matthew Santos
Lupe Fiasco Lyrics

Uh, close your mind, close your eyes, see with your heart
Let go of your preconceptions and prejudices and try to understand through empathy.

How do you forgive the murderer of your father?
How can you overcome intense hatred and anger and still find forgiveness?

The ink of a scholar is worth a thousand times more than the blood of a martyr
One's intellectual contributions are more valuable to society than dying for a cause.

We came through the storm
Black people have endured centuries of oppression and violence to be where we are today.

Nooses on our necks, and a smallpox blanket to keep us warm
White people have dehumanized black people by using nooses and giving smallpox blankets as a form of cruelty.

On a 747 on the Pentagon lawn—wake up!
The 9/11 terrorist attacks were a result of America's blind-eye to issues of injustice.

The alarm clock is connected to a bomb
The U.S.'s obsession with wealth, power and individualism is causing destruction.

Anthrax lab on a West Virginia farm
The government's endorsement of terroristic acts in the name of national security.

Shorty ain't learned to walk, already heavily armed
Children grow up with guns, contributing to the cycle of violence and destruction.

Civilians and lil' children is especially harmed
Innocent, defenseless people are the biggest victims of war and terrorism.

Camouflage Torahs, Bibles, and glorious Qu'rans
Using religion as a shield to carry out violent acts.

The books that take you to heaven and let you meet the Lord there
Religious texts should be interpreted as promoting peace and love, not violence.

Have become misinterpreted reasons for warfare
Religion is being manipulated to justify terrorism and war.

We read 'em with blind eyes, I guarantee you there's more there
We need to analyze religious texts carefully to understand their true messages and avoid misinterpretations.

Rich must be blind 'cause they ain't see the poor there! ...Yeah
Wealthy people turn a blind eye to the suffering of the poor.

Need to open up a park, just close 10 schools, we don't need them
The government should invest more in public spaces and services that uplift communities instead of closing schools.

Can you please call the fire department, they down here marchin' for freedom
Activists fighting for freedom and justice should be recognized for their bravery and celebrated, not suppressed.

Burn down all they tepees, turn the TVs on to teach them, and move!
The U.S. government's plan to erase indigenous people's history and culture through assimilation.

Now a poor Klu Klux man see that we all brothers
We should focus on our common humanity, rather than our differences.

Not 'cause things the same, but 'cause we lack the same color
Our shared experiences of oppression cause us to share an unspoken bond.

And that's green, now that's mean
Money is a corrupting force that can turn people against each other.

Can't burn his cross, 'cause he can't afford the gasoline
The KKK's influence and power is weakened due to rising gas prices, indicating change is possible.

Now if a Muslim woman's strapped with a bomb on the bus With the seconds runnin' give you the jitters Just imagine an American-based Christian organization Plannin' to poison water supplies to bring the Second Coming quicker Nigga, they ain't livin' properly
Terrorism exists on both sides of the political and religious spectrum, and the hypocrisy and ignorance of demonizing one group while ignoring another.

Break 'em off with a lil' democracy Turn they whole culture to a mockery
The U.S. government tries to impose democracy on other countries, without understanding or respecting their cultures.

Give 'em Coca-Cola for they property Give 'em gum, give 'em guns, get 'em young, give 'em fun
America's influence on the world is often negative, providing addictive substances, weapons, and entertainment instead of tangible aid.

But if they ain't givin' it up, then they ain't gettin' none
The self-serving and exploitative motif that form the basis of American capitalism and imperialism.

And don't give 'em all, naw, man, just give 'em some
American power brokers exploit underprivileged and oppressed communities, while pretending to offer help.

It's the paper, some of these cops must be Al-Qaeda, nigga, uh!
The corrupt law enforcement and political systems that prioritize profit over the safety and well-being of their own citizens.

Don't give the black man food, give red man liquor Red man fool, black man nigga Give yellow man tool, make him railroad builder Also give him pan, make him pull gold from river
The different roles assigned to people based on their race, and how white people have exploitative control over the lives of others due to their cultural and social power.

Give black man crack, Glocks, and things Give red man craps, slot machines
The U.S. government's willingness to destroy the lives of its own citizens in its pursuit of power and control.

Now bring it back, bring it back Bring it back, bring it back Bring it back, bring it back Bring it back, bring it back
The cyclical and systemic nature of oppression, where history repeats itself unless we learn from the past and actively work to change the future.