They say I’m naughty by nature
But mama said that I was made in the image of God
So who’s telling the truth?
I am living a life caught up in a labyrinth of whiteness
Trying to reinvent myself
Taking my broken dreams down from the shelf
Mending my clipped wings hoping that I could fly again
Talking to myself
Testifying before the world that I’m more than they said I could be
I am blessed from the womb of a strong tree
Her roots are planted deep into the soil of history
Telling stories from her inner depths
Giving my dying soul liberty
Teaching me about a new form of masculinity
Where my tears flow
Lamenting for all the men who are too tough to cry
“Endangered Species”
Shackled, locked up and left behind prison walls to die
They said I’m naughty by nature
But mama said that’s a lie
Nothing more than media hype
And misconceptions of a black man’s world
A world where we are painted with colors of hate
African savages, animalistic, subhuman images
Produced to create fear
But mama said that fear is false evidence appearing real
And I am not naughty by nature
I am Quran Thompson Jr.
A black boy with a dream.
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