Pieces
R.O.N feat. Junko Lyrics

I tried to take the high road
I attempted to handle the situation calmly and maturely

Let bygones be bygones
I wanted to move on and let the past be in the past

But now another life's gone
Unfortunately, another person has lost their life because of this ongoing conflict

What you expect from me, to turn the other cheek?
Why should I let you continue to mistreat me and not defend myself?

All you bring is war, asking me for peace
You constantly start trouble but expect me to be the one to calm everything down

What you expect from me, when all you bring is greed
You are selfish and only thinking about yourself, leaving me to deal with the consequences of your actions

But now I gotta piece piece piece
Now I have to pick up the pieces and repair the damage caused by your selfishness and aggression

Yeah, they say let's make America great again
Some people advocate for America to return to a previous time period to improve the country

Except for the slavery and genocide
However, this previous time period included slavery and genocide of native peoples

When we killed all the natives and steal their tribes
Referring to the violence and forced displacement of native peoples in America

And the time we denied the women's rights
Referring to the long history of discrimination and sexism against women in America

Talkin' 'bout great, like the AIDS outbreak
Referencing the government's sluggish and insufficient response to the AIDS epidemic

Like when they brought crack cocaine to the hood
Referring to the government's role in the crack epidemic and the harm it caused in low-income communities

Look, justice is not on the internet
Justice cannot be achieved solely through social media and online activism

Equality don't have a Twitter account
Achieving true equality requires more than just hashtags and online posts

The last words that a man should ever hear
Referring to the tragic and unjust killing of many black men by police officers

Should never be 'get on the ground'
No one deserves to die simply for not obeying a police officer's command

Our culture so misunderstood, it's cloudy up over the hood
The culture of marginalized communities is often stereotyped and misunderstood, leading to further mistreatment and exploitation

I'm thinkin' 'bout packing my bags and leaving this country for good
Some people feel so fed up with the challenges and injustices they face in America that they are considering leaving the country permanently

Glock, Glock in my car for your probable 'cause
Carrying a gun in case of potential conflict or harm

'Cause even the law don't follow the law
The police and government can be corrupt and not follow their own rules and laws

Guess it's my fault for being black
Sarcastically attributing blame to oneself for their race, when in reality no one deserves to be discriminated against or targeted because of their race

A country built on my people's backs
Acknowledging that America was partially built on the exploitation and labor of African American slaves

Up in first class, yeah my seat is back
Relishing in the luxury of first class while also recognizing the privilege and discrepancy between different social classes

Even when I'm bored and I'm tryna see my past
Even during times of leisure or reflection, the weight of systemic discrimination and inequality is always present

Tell me, if you had a chance, would you go back in time to see the past?
Questioning whether nostalgia for a previous time period in America is actually warranted, given the significant suffering and exploitation experienced during those times

Waitin', waitin', waitin' for reparation
Hoping to one day receive restitution for the historic and ongoing injustices and exploitation experienced by marginalized communities in America

For the end of segregation
Desiring for true racial equality and the end of segregation between different races and ethnicities

All we got was month and a television station
Despite efforts at achieving reparations and equality, marginalized communities have only received small concessions and token gestures, such as a dedicated month for Black History and a TV channel like BET

All they teach is slavery and we celebrate it
Despite how horrific slavery was, it is often taught in schools and celebrated in American culture without recognizing the profound trauma and harm it caused

They turn the cheek if we should perish
Many people are willing to ignore or downplay the injustices and tragedies experienced by marginalized communities

Just remember you can't spell America without Eric, dance!
Referring to the unjust killings of many black men named Eric by police officers, criticizing the lack of accountability and justice for these tragedies

By any means necessary
Willing to do whatever it takes to survive and thrive in a society that marginalizes and exploits certain groups of people

Lately two many mommas out here bearing babies
Referring to the disproportionate harm and suffering experienced by mothers and their children in marginalized communities

It really ain't safe 'round here no more
Due to systemic discrimination and violence, many people feel unsafe and vulnerable in their own communities

Scared of the law when they get outdoors
The police are often feared and distrusted by people in marginalized communities

And will we ever be at peace, man? I ain't sure
Questioning whether true peace and equality will ever be achieved in America

But for now I'm like Malcolm out the window it's simple altercation
Referencing Malcolm X's famous quote about using any means necessary to defend oneself, even through violent altercations

Got these motherfuckers blazin' and I ain't tryna say bye to my kinfolk
Referring to the danger and violence present in some communities, and the desire to protect one's own family and loved ones from harm

They choke us out like what they need a noose for?
Referencing the unjust and tragic killings of many black men by police officers, in which an excessive amount of force was used

Gentrify like fuck wherever you go
Describing the process of gentrification and how it can forcibly displace people from their neighborhoods and communities

Prison walls nowadays big biz
Referring to how the prison industrial complex has become a huge business in America, often at the expense of marginalized communities

Give us dope then lock us up to get riches
Describing how the government often contributes to drug addiction and then punishes those who are addicted or caught with drug offenses

Then send us out to a job we can't get
Ex-offenders are often unable to find gainful employment upon their release from prison, due to systemic discrimination against them

You had that nigga flipped now you back in the system
Describing how the system can be complicit in perpetuating cycles of violence and harm against marginalized people, contributing to their ongoing exploitation and mistreatment

That's a cold game man, aww dog if there's a God pray she listening
Describing how the system can feel insurmountable and unjust, making people feel hopeless and skeptical about the possibility of change

The president don't give a fuck about us
Criticism of the President's lack of action or concern for marginalized communities in America

The government don't give a fuck either
Similar to the previous line, expressing frustration with the government's lack of action or care for marginalized communities

They talkin' 'make America great again'
Referring to the political campaign slogan of the current US President

I just wanna save my people
Expressing a desire to protect and care for one's own community and loved ones

I just want that forty acres and a mule
Referencing the historic promise of reparations made to former slaves in America

Another promise didn't fall through
Despite the promise of reparations, marginalized communities in America have not received the restitution or justice they deserve

Just a whole lot of propaganda and lying to me and you
Referring to how the government and media can push false narratives and propaganda to distract from the true injustices and suffering in America