Minority Report
Ne-Yo Lyrics

The damage here along the gulf coast is catastrophic
The destruction caused by the hurricane along the Gulf Coast is extremely severe and devastating.

There's a frantic effort under way tonight to find
Currently, there is a desperate and intense attempt to locate and rescue survivors.

Survivors, there are an uncounted number of the dead tonight
There is a large, unknown number of people who have lost their lives and are deceased at this moment.

People are being forced to live like animals
The residents are being compelled to live in harsh, inhumane conditions.

People need to send stuff in here, we are desperate
The situation is so desperate that the people urgently require supplies and assistance to be sent to their location.

No one says the federal government is doing a good job
There is a unanimous consensus that the federal government is not performing well in handling the crisis.

And hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of people
There is an overwhelming number of individuals who are affected by this disaster.

No water, I fought for my country for years
The lack of access to clean water is a dire situation, especially for someone who has served their country in the military for an extended period of time.

We need help, we really need help
The people are genuinely pleading for assistance and support.

In Baghdad, they drop, they air drop water, food to people
The residents of Baghdad receive essential supplies through targeted air drops, including water and food items.

Why can't they do that to their own people?
It is questioned why the same kind of relief efforts cannot be provided to the citizens of their own country.

Doggon' anyone, that the same idiots can't get a bottle of water
It is ridiculous and frustrating that the same incompetent individuals cannot manage to provide a basic necessity like a bottle of water.

Into a major American city in less than three days are trying to win a war
If they are unable to deliver water to a major American city in less than three days, it is doubtful how they can succeed in winning a war.

People was poor before the hurricane came
The residents were living in poverty even before the hurricane struck.

But the downpour poured is like when Mary J. sang
The heavy rain that poured down is comparable to the emotional depth and intensity Mary J. Blige conveys in her songs.

Every day it rains, so every day the pain
The daily rainfall serves as a reminder of the continuous suffering and anguish experienced by the people.

But ignored them, and showed em the rents was to blame
However, instead of addressing their needs, the authorities disregarded their plight and wrongly attributed their struggles to their financial circumstances.

For life is a chain, cause and effected
Life operates as a series of interconnected events, where actions and consequences are intertwined.

Niggas off the chain because they affected
Individuals are behaving recklessly because they have been deeply impacted and affected by the situation.

It's a dirty game so whatever is effective
Given the corrupt nature of the system, people resort to whatever methods they believe will bring them the most success or relief.

From weed to selling 'cane, gotta put that in effect
Whether it's selling drugs like marijuana or cocaine, individuals feel compelled to engage in illegal activities to survive and make ends meet.

Wouldn't you loot, if you didn't have the loot?
If you lacked the necessary resources or means to acquire essential items, wouldn't you resort to looting as well?

Baby needed food and you stuck on the roof
When your child is hungry and in need of food, you are left trapped on the roof, unable to provide for them.

Helicopter swooped down just to get a scoop
A helicopter rapidly descends to capture footage or gather information, but fails to prioritize saving those in distress.

Through his telescopic lens but he didn't scoop you
Despite having the means to help, the person behind the lens fails to rescue and offer aid to individuals in need.

The next five days, no help ensued
In the subsequent five days, no assistance or support was provided.

They called you a refugee because you seek refuge
You are labeled as a refugee merely because you are searching for a place of safety and protection.

The commander-in-chief just flew by
The highest-ranking military officer merely flew past the area, failing to take substantial action.

Did he stop? No, he had a couple seats
The commander-in-chief did not halt his journey; instead, he made a brief stop but showed no significant commitment.

Just proved jet blue he's not
This incident demonstrated that he is not like JetBlue airlines, which prioritizes their customers.

Jet blew by the spot
The jet swiftly flew past the affected area.

What if he ran out of jet fuel and just dropped
One wonders what would have happened if his jet had run out of fuel and crashed unexpectedly.

That would've been something to watch
It would have been quite a spectacle to witness such an event.

Helicopters doing flybys to take a couple of shots
Helicopters perform flybys to capture some footage or take photographs, but fail to prioritize providing aid.

Couple of portraits then ignored 'em
After taking a few photos, the individuals in need are disregarded and neglected.

He'd be just another bush surrounded by a couple orchids
The commander-in-chief would become indistinguishable and insignificant, surrounded by a few ornamental flowers.

Poor kids just 'cause they were poor kids
The children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds are suffering solely because of their impoverished status.

Left 'em on they porches same old story in New Orleans
The same recurring narrative unfolds in New Orleans, with these vulnerable children being abandoned and left to fend for themselves.

Silly rappers, because we got a couple Porches
Foolish and superficial rappers, boasting about their luxury cars like Porsche, fail to grasp the gravity of the situation.

MTV stopped by to film our fortresses
MTV pays a visit to document the opulent mansions we own, resembling fortresses, while ignoring the plight of those in need.

We forget the unfortunate
We, as a society, conveniently overlook the plight of the less fortunate.

Sure I ponied up a mill, but I didn't give my time
Although I contributed a substantial amount of money, I failed to offer my personal time and effort for the cause.

So in reality I didn't give a dime, or a damn
In actuality, my monetary contribution holds no real value and reflects my lack of concern or care.

I just put my monies in the hands of the same people that left my people stranded
I entrusted my funds to the same individuals who abandoned and neglected the very people I am trying to help.

Nothin' but a bandit
These individuals are nothing more than swindlers and thieves.

Left them folks abandoned
They left those individuals abandoned and neglected.

Damn, that money that we gave was just a band-aid
The money we contributed served as nothing more than a temporary solution, like a band-aid on a large wound.

Can't say we better off than we was before
It is impossible to assert that we are in a better state now compared to our previous condition.

In synopsis, this is my minority report
In summary, this song represents my minority viewpoint and perspective on the matter.

So many times I'm, covering my eyes
There have been numerous occasions where I find myself shielding my eyes, unable to witness the ongoing tragedy.

Peeking through my fingers
However, I cannot resist occasionally peering through my fingers, unable to completely avoid witnessing the distressing scenes.

Tryin' to hide my, frustration at the way that we treat
I attempt to conceal my overwhelming frustration regarding how we, as a society, mistreat and neglect those in need.

(Seems like we don't even care)
It appears that we lack any genuine concern or empathy for the suffering and struggles of others.

Turn on the TV, seein' the pain
When I switch on the television, I witness the immense pain and suffering being experienced.

Sayin' such a shame
I can't help but express my deep sorrow and disapproval for this heartbreaking situation.

Then tryin' to go on with my life
However, I must try to continue living and moving forward with my own life.

Of that, I too, am guilty
In this aspect, I must acknowledge my own guilt and complicity in not doing more to address and alleviate the crisis.

So we send a lil' money, tell 'em it's alright
To appease our guilt, we send a small amount of money and assure ourselves that everything will be fine.

To be able to sleep at night
By making this token contribution, we hope to find solace and be able to sleep without a guilty conscience.

You will pay that price
However, there will always be consequences and a price to pay for our lack of genuine action and empathy.

While some of these folks' lost their whole life
Meanwhile, some individuals have lost everything, including their entire lives and livelihoods.

Now it wasn't on the nightly news no more
The situation ceased to be featured on the nightly news.

Suddenly it didn't matter to you no more
Suddenly, you no longer cared or considered it a matter of importance.

In the end almost nothing changed
Ultimately, very little changed or improved.

What the hell, what was that for?
One can't help but question the purpose and significance of these efforts, if they failed to bring about substantial change.

(Seems like we don't even care)
It appears that we lack any genuine concern or empathy for the suffering and struggles of others.

Buses are on the way to take those people from New Orleans to Houston
There are buses being sent to transport the affected individuals from New Orleans to Houston.

They lyin'
However, this statement is deceptive or inaccurate.

People are dying at the convention center
Furthermore, people are losing their lives at the convention center, adding to the urgency of the situation.

Their government has failed them
It is clear that the government has not fulfilled its responsibilities and has let down the people in need.

George Bush doesn't care about black people
The song concludes with the direct statement that George Bush, the former President, does not show concern or care for black individuals.

(Seems like we don't even care)
It appears that we lack any genuine concern or empathy for the suffering and struggles of others.