You created an environment of control

Had to keep the slaves in line

Be able to burn your abuse consistently

Lay hands on what female ancestor you wanted

This subculture was taken away from you

Dominance is not a substantial narrative

They was Masta as our ancestors had to succumb

They were going to whip their ways on us

They were going to shackle our hopes

They were going to brand fear in our psyche

They were going to live generations of mastery

They were going to systematically destroy us

This imprisonment is physical, mental and emotional

This ignorance will germinate as they hold power

This isolation rotted the core of this country

Why do they offer sham advancement?

Why do they suffer when nothing when they’re exposed?

Why do we have to always accept the results?

It’s permissible as long as they have leverage

It’s conceivable there’s no intention to stop lying

It’s terrible until some cheap compensation comes

What’s sickening is my ancestor’s souls can’t rest

What worries me is there’s always a lack of respect

What bothers me is we can’t avoid these test

Just as you feel entitled because you own everything

Just as you feel you can belittle everyone

Just as you felt our lives are nowhere (without you)

Plantation

From nightmare one

Your intent was to be superior

We had our own culture

Music

Architecture

Freedom

From day two

You thought we were inferior

Your disabling fear of lording over

Our minds

Our bodies

Our spirits

That’s why you were scared for us

To learn how to read

Write

Think

Solve problems

Build a different society

For those who saw we could be equal

For those who knew they should have spoken up

For those who said we would be an asset

My ancestors preserved despite your content

My ancestors overcame despite your malice

My ancestors continue to fight despite your incarceration

We are the drum majors of peace until provoked

We are the demonstrators to protest until pushed

We are the instigators of truth until probed

They hold all the cards in a bad hand

They were told we would understand

They are not compliant as we demand

It will continue to plague this country

It will continue to destroy this society

It will continue to operate this theory

Racism