Dear Son

Mother Knows Best

Come in before the street lights come on , mother knows best
Cause if the white man catch you after dark he won't hesitate to arrest
Anything you say can and will be used against you
Whether you resist or cooperate , odds are he's got his gun loaded to shoot you
Don't wear that black hoodie , you're already black enough
Pull your pants up son unless you want to be brought home in a hearse .
Don't walk with those skittles put that Arizona down
It's a threat in his eyes , stay off the radar , it's too late to ride into town .
Be aware of your surroundings pay attention to details
He may not be the law but he has a mission he cannot fail .
Not sure if it's safe to dress as you please ,
Cause whether you're in a suit or sweats you are targeted as a bulls tease
You're a red flag waving as you sit in your car
If his skin is bright he may approach you like the law
When he says turn down your tunes just do as he says
Or before you can blink he'll have his gun sitting on the windows edge
One shot to the head and you're dead
All because one white man thinks your presence is more than he can stand
I can't tell whether you should run or stop
Cause he'll quickly testify "He was armed" to the cops
Though you had your hands up screaming "Don't Shoot"
He will swear under oath that he didn't hear you .
Son this world is dirty and the system is worse
Don't think just because you are killed that justice will be served
You will die in vain
It's such a shame
And days later the law won't even remember your name
By the age of 13 you are destined for failure
It's the pigment of your skin that enforcement treasures
They put a young black man under his belt
And drain his soul until he has nothing left
It doesn't matter that you get straight A's in school
Can't learn if you're dead so you are bound to lose
This is a war we will not win
Because we are out killing our own women and men
We must stop our violence and come together as one
Without support from each other there is no way we will overcome
Son listen to what I say , this is useful news
I tell you this because someday these problems will face you
After dark is when the real action happens
Mother knows best , come in before the street light flashes .