May 18, 2019

Poet's Nook: "For Colored Boys" by KOTA The Friend

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You was born in a hospital with incompetent doctors who didn't bother to press you against your mother's chest
But that's okay 'cause Jehovah say that your mother blessed
And we are here to guide you through life
And teach you what is best
Do not have your kids in a hospital, they don't give a fuck
Especially 'bout black folk
Learn how to deliver your own kids
And have 'em at home, kid
And leave that placenta attached as long as you want, kid
It's different for black boys
Harder for black girls
Start your own business venture
Thrive in a black world
Where you and your homies don't gotta worry 'bout gettin' fired and facin' discrimination
We are creators; we don't go beggin' for placement where we are not wanted
And I'mma keep it a hunnid youngin' we used to be hunted
They had us sittin' in zoos
So what you see in the news
Is really nothin' that's new
They really targetin' you
You hear me talkin' to you?
But even if your bread straight
Big house, nice car, gotta keep your head straight
People that be gossipin' constantly only dead weight
Wiser assessments of situations will carry you to your best days
Put away a portion of your profit when you get paid
And do not be afraid of change
It could be a segue
To a better something
But have patience
And always make time for family and celebration
And every good thing in life requires dedication
Like career, wife, kids, and it's spiritual
The point of our existence isn't physical
Make sure there is love in your livin' room
And make sure that you there for the ones that you give it to
And grudges'll do you no good
Life is too short to be stressin'
Love your friends for who they are
If they there when you're down
Then you should keep 'em around
And then return that favor tenfold
Everything you hidin' will be exposed
So you should probably keep it a thousand youngin' and let go
Embrace humiliation it's humblin'
And take every situation for what it is
Love is free so don't be possessive
Love is a combination of lettin' go and holdin' tight
You'll learn when to do which
And get more love than you know what to do with
And you gon' make mistakes 'cause homie you only human
But that ain't no excuse to be foolish
Treat your woman with respect
That means keepin' it real
Keepin' her in your mind
If you about to be stupid
Just think about how she feel
Be honest with yourself
Put your ego on the shelf
And I promise you it helps
You ain't gotta be what they expect
Get to scrubbin' when you make a mess
And treat your daughters same as your sons
We growin' out of double standards
Speakin' of standards
Let's move away from the European
Tell her she's beautiful
Wide nose, coarse hair, brown eyes, brown skin
Self-love for the win
Why conform to a society that hates you
And spent all they energy tryna break you?
Now they thinkin', "y'all niggas still here?"
Yeah, and y'all still scared
Black boys still strong
Slavery's still here
Black boys still marked
The prisons is still packed
With innocent black boys
The black boys still thrive
The black girls still God
Yeah

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The War You Don't See

  Get the book here Excellent interview with Chris Hedges: