Black and White
Master P Lyrics

Hey dad I got in a fight with this white kid today at school
The singer got into a fight with a white kid at school.

Son, didn't I tell you I don't want you fighting?
The singer's father advises him not to fight.

But he called me a nigger
The white kid called the singer a racial slur.

I'm just a black man trapped in this white world
The artist feels trapped in a world that is dominated by white people.

And this goes to every woman, man, boy, and girl
The message in the song is for everybody, regardless of gender or age.

Its a shame when you can't send your kids, to decent schools
The lack of access to quality education is a tragedy.

We live in the world for the laws and no rules
The world is governed by laws, but there are few rules that ensure equity and fairness.

Gang-bangers, crease sides, and chalk lines
These terms refer to the violence and danger that are part of life in the ghetto.

Correctional facilities full of juveniles doin' petty crimes
Underprivileged youth are disproportionately impacted by the criminal justice system.

In this ghetto, got me crazy
Living in the ghetto can take a mental and emotional toll on people.

Sometimes I wish, mama wouldn'ta made me
The singer wishes that he didn't have to experience the hardships of being black in a white world.

But its a shame when you gotta raise a baby
Raising a child in a world that is stacked against you is a challenging task.

And the color of my skin might taint me
The singer is aware that the color of his skin could negatively impact his opportunities in life.

And all the money can't change the color of your skin
No matter how much money you have, you can't change the color of your skin.

Why so many blacks and Mexicans in the pen?
The disproportionate number of black and Hispanic people in prison is a disturbing trend.

It is cause we VIOLENT?
The artist challenges the notion that black and Hispanic people are disproportionately violent.

But why Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves and started smilin'?
Why did the man who emancipated the slaves later on smile while black and Hispanic people continued to experience systemic injustice?

So many people have dreams
Many people have dreams of a better life and more opportunities.

But why society eliminated Martin Luther King?
Society is responsible for not listening to and ultimately eliminating a voice for change.

And they tell us to be proud to be black
Despite the obstacles, society tells black people to take pride in their heritage.

And at the same time Uncle John shoot us in the back
The people in power are simultaneously telling black people to be proud while allowing violence and injustice to continue.

Independence, its a free country
America is supposed to be a free country where people can live in independence.

No jobs, most blacks turn to street money
A lack of job opportunities leaves many black people with few options beyond illegal activities.

A bunch of ghetto full of drugs and alcohol
The ghetto is full of substances that can lead to addiction and further struggles.

Where found history books about white laws
The history books often focus on the laws and accomplishments of white people, at the expense of other perspectives.

And Tommy Hilfiger discriminate
The fashion industry discriminates against black people.

And sell us clothes
Despite discrimination, black people still buy clothes from brands that don't support them.

But we can't blame him cause
The systemic issues go beyond individuals.

We don't support the black stores
Black people need to support black-owned businesses and institutions that can support them.

And only God can judge or point the finger and what's
Only God can judge people for the color of their skin or their background.

White or black and red and blue equals gang banging
The color of someone's skin or their clothing can lead to stereotypes and unfair treatment.

I'm colorblind, so Lord won't you feel my pain
The artist hopes that God will see beyond color and understand his struggles.

Hold on, hold on
The artist pauses to address his little brother, Silkk.

P pray for your little brother
The artist calls for prayer for his younger sibling.

Silkk, keep your head up
The singer encourages his brother to stay strong and positive.

I'm tryin' but sometime I get fed up (Damn)
The artist is tired of the injustices he faces but tries to stay resilient.

What about all of the people that died in the past?
The singer acknowledges the painful history of violence and oppression that black people have experienced.

Peers I can't get back with too many found guilty
Many young people have lost their lives or are incarcerated.

And I know they didn't do it
The singer knows that some of the people in prison are there unjustly.

But still they can't get back
Even if they are found innocent, they will never get back the time they have lost.

I see the copper be tryin' to nail me
The artist experiences police harassment and monitoring.

Police constantly trailin' me
The police surveil the singer constantly.

Cause I'm young, rich, and black
The singer is a target of unfair policing because he is young, wealthy, and black.

I'm always under survelience
The artist has to be conscious of being under constant monitoring.

Dash me out the car
The police pull the artist over and may even make him get out of the car.

And wanna ask me who the car fuck
The police make accusations and assume the artist must be doing something wrong.

Thay allowed to carry guns
Police carry guns and weapons on the job.

Can't never be convicted
Police are rarely convicted of their crimes.

Who that law fuck?
The singer questions the fairness and accountability of law enforcement.

I'm guilty till proven innocent
The singer feels as though the system assumes he is guilty before he has even been tried or convicted.

Still we all equals, how do you figure?
Despite the legal idea that we are all equal, experience shows that this is not always the case.

Cop told me 'you weren't speeding but I'm gonna give you a ticket cause you a nigger'
The artist experiences blatant racism from the police, who target and discriminate against him solely because of his skin color.

I seen the hardest of my homies break down in tears
The artist has witnessed his friends and peers struggle, even breaking down emotionally in the face of atrocities.

A white judge looked them in the eyes and gave them 35 years
A white judge gives harsh sentences to people of color, further perpetuating the systemic injustice they experience.

Now its a everyday struggle
The singer's life is a constant struggle due to systemic racism and oppression.

I hustle just to live
The artist works hard just to survive in a world that is stacked against him.

To raise your kids
The artist raises his children despite facing many challenges.

When they got them teachin' them
The system teaches black children that they are inferior and cannot succeed.

Their parents better than them
The children learn that white people are inherently better than them, which further reinforces inequality.

They got me thinkin'
The artist is forced to reflect on his identity, his life, and the struggles of his community.

The color of my skin is a sin
The singer feels the weight of the negative associations that come with being black.

I'm a black man in a white man's world
The singer feels like he is living in a society that is not designed to accommodate people like him.

Where its set up for me not to win
The systems in place are designed to limit the singer's success and make it difficult for him to achieve his goals.

Lookit, ain't that about a bitch
The situation is absurd and frustrating.

They look at us like we ain't shit
Society does not value black people as they should be valued, which is dehumanizing and unjust.

But lookit, I ain't racist, but face it, it exists
The singer acknowledges that white people have created a racist society, but doesn't harbor hatred towards them.

Y'all know it ain't a black and white thing with me
The singer is not interested in perpetuating divisions between races.

I just make music for the reality
The artist creates music that represents his lived experiences and the experiences of his community.

Only the real could feel this, huh
The message of the song can only be truly felt and understood by those who have experienced the same struggles and injustices.

We all got the same opportunity
Theoretically, everyone should have equal opportunities in America.

Whether we wanna be judges, doctors, or lawyers
People of color should be able to aspire to any profession, just like white people.

Ain't a black or white thing
The artist emphasizes that the fight for justice and equality is not a matter of race, but a matter of human rights.

Pick the best man for the job
People should be hired based on merit rather than race.

And there shouldn't be no hatin'
People should be able to work together collaboratively and without hate or prejudice.

Where you live, if you can afford to buy a house
If you can afford to buy a house, then you should have the right to live wherever you want.

Should be able to live wherever you want
Everyone should have the right to live wherever they want, regardless of their skin color or background.

The same hospitality they give to athletes and movie stars
Successful black people should receive the same respect and treatment as white people.

Should give that same hospitality and companionship to your neighbors
People should treat their neighbors with respect and kindness.