I pledge allegiance to the flag,
Of the United Sates of America
And to the republic for which it stands
One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
Liberty and justice for all...
Unless your name is Trayvon Martin.

Trayvon Martin was my brother on his way home from football practice
He was my cousin who loves track
He is me on any rainy day trying to make sure my hair stays dry.
Another black youth gone too soon.
Unfortunately, this story sounds all too familiar.

People say that racism doesn't exist anymore
That the world is not black and white.
No, the world is not black and white.
It was created in a rainbow of colors,
But there are those that have it set in their hearts that color is a bad thing.

Liberty and justice for all?
I don't know what that means.
My ancestors built this country, fought wars for it,
And we just got promoted to the front of the bus,
About a generation ago.

I have to battle the stereotypes
Every day of my life
And hear words of hatred and disgust
From the people that promised liberty and justice for all.

Black in America is only a part of my story.
Until you are Black in America, you are deaf, dumb, and somehow blind to my struggle.
You don't understand my silence or my tears
So please don't pretend like you do.

I have to hear "you're cute for a darkskin girl" or "you're very intelligent"
Like it's a surprise.
Like black and intelligence can never be synonymous
But rather are like water and oil, they just don't mix.

I never knew Skittles and a can of Arizona Iced Tea could be weapons
I guess you learn something new every day.
I never knew wearing a hoodie made you suspicious.
In that case,call the FBI because I'm public enemy number one.

Trayvon Martin was my brother coming home from football practice.
He was my cousin who loves track.
He is me on any rainy day trying to make sure my hair stays dry.
Where's the liberty and justice they promised for him?