How Black Men Lose Their Smile

Looking back at some pictures and They had me thinking wow, I was A happy child, very happy, my hair Nappy running 'round in my nappy Wild, beautiful skin dark chocolate Brown, rarely riled, temperament Mild before the age of one I Could count, the world was home And my Nana's house, everyone Dancing laughing loud, there was Encouragement all around, safe Environment could be myself, my Hair in plaits long as any girls, got to School they said to take it out, that's How Black Men Lose Their Smile I was a clever child, smart, I was Sharp as nails, more advanced than My whole class, learning at their Pace slowed me down, sped through Work then would mess about, they Should've given me extra help, but Said I was trouble then kicked me Out, that's How Black Men Lose Their Smile Yeah, system set up for me to Fail, didn't share features with my Teachers that has effects on your Sense of self, that has effects on your Mental health, lies out the colonizers Mouth, teach us we didn't build Egypt, that's How Black Men Lose Their Smile Saw young pictures of my Dad, so Handsome, happy and proud growing Up I just saw him frown, at the time I couldn't comprehend, life through The eyes of a juvenile, I had to live I Understand it now, Black man living In a next man's world, that's How Black Men Lose Their Smile Yeah, melanin strong so we all stand Out, prejudice everywhere that I Exist, feels like I live my whole life On trial, Karen's scared weaponising Fear phones come out and then Police get dialed, that how little White lies can kill, that's How Black Men Lose Their Smile That's how Black men lose their life The world has made me hate myself I'm scared of men that look like me Self hatred rooted so deep, him or I, I Must protect myself, I'm going grave Or I'm going jail, that's How Black Men Lose Their Smile Yeah, saw my Grandad old and frail Face turned hard from the pain He felt, no complaints, played the Hand he's dealt, told me history It made me cry, told me his story It made me melt, cos that's How Black Men Lose Their Smile Had genocide, been terrorised Been scrutinised, been brutalised Been ghettoised, been sexualised Been sterilised, been plagiarised Unrecognised, been jeopardised Been tyrannised, been trivialised Been stigmatised, been ostracised Demoralised, dehumanised Traumatised, but full of pride, hold Me down and still I rise, world on my Shoulder, still I thrive, by any means I Will survive, I will try 'til the day I die We're out here fighting for our lives And that's How Black Men Lose Their Smile That's How Black Men Lose Their Smile Every day is like a battle, but we'll Overcome, when we get back in the Saddle, faith will bring us home Every day is like a battle, but we'll Overcome, when we get back in the Saddle, faith will bring us home