Oh say can you see

That child is failing

And He can’t be set free

Because he is simply ignoring

Those grades and that class

He won’t do the homework in

Because with just a 65 he can pass

Little does he know unemployment is giving him that smirk and

A Smack to the face

One that he didn’t see coming

Just another black man getting a taste

Of what it means to be a black man from here

From no hopes and no dreams

Because you didn’t take those SATs

You say Land of the Free

I see Land of no opportunity

At least not for me

Why waste the time reading that book

When she know she don’t have that look

Her naps unprofessional

Her style exceptional

But not American, you know?

Not the right skin

Crushed from within

Oh Captain My Captain

Where do I fit in?

On that ship you sailed

Or fixing the crops that failed

Yes, we’re talking about this again

We’ll only stop when

This Stolen America

Rebuilds from broken America

And Becomes golden America

Where our truth will stand self-evident

And we’ll be relevant

Because all men are created equality

Even that kid whose skin is kissed by the sun

His history painful but rich won’t be ignored

He’s not just another Negro boy

You’re a hero boy

You just need someone to tell you to open up your eyes

Soak in that knowledge with pride

Don’t give up and Don’t stand there powerless

Lift your chin and fight for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness