I am a yougin and you might find what i am saying is obsurd

But i need to speak up and say these words

My brothers and sisters

Look what has become of us

Living in a country where people are scared of us

Because black men sag their pants, we act crazy, and tend to cuss

Our people dying everyday because of the label we've given us

We act as if we don't want more than just the hood

Because of ignorant black folk we're misunderstood

Like Trayvon Martin killed for wearing a hood

Or Michael Brown, shot up but still put his hands up as best he could

Eric Garner said he couldn't breath, while his face is in the concrete

Did Emmett Till deserve the fate that fell upon him

People before us put their lives on the line for you and me

So that we could live in this country equally

But you say you'd rather be someone's dealer

Not knowing that that batch could kill her

Then you're serving life imprisonment

Are you listening? are you getting it?

I'm not going to make this sweet, no sugar coating it

It's only the beginning and i ain't even started yet

Hello. How you doing? My name is Taz.

I know about the struggle, the hard life, and i grew up without my dad.

But I don't use that as an excuse.

They told me I'd be a statistic but i refused.

I am 17 with a big dream

I'm going to college to get my Master's Degree

So i can build a business helping troubled teens

Like how my mentors helped me

So i say to you

My generation, stay in school

Enjoy your life as a teen, go to prom

Make your mom a proud mom

Strut your stuff while you walk that stage

Get your diploma so one day

You can have a big office with your degree in a frame

Don't waste any opportunity

Of possibly

Becoming the next Obama, MLK, Maya Angelou, or Muhammad Ali

Not as in boxing but fighting,

So that the next generation

Knows the power of education and where it can take them

I am giving you wisdom are you listening?

Are you hearing it? Am i making sense?

Statistics say that 1 out of every 5 will get my message

So let's put that statistic to the test then

If you understand what I am saying

Please raise your hand

Vow that no girl, no boy, no child, no teen

Will go without the opportunity

Of becoming all that they can be

Speak out, Speak up, and Spread the word

My brothers and sisters let them know that knowledge is POWER

And their lives matter