2 - Right Here In America

[“‘In the Circuit Court of the 18th Judicial Circuit in and for Seminole County, Florida; State of Florida versus George Zimmerman, the verdict—we the jury find George Zimmerman not guilty. So say we all. –Foreperson’”] [1] Shout out to the courts and the legislation That make assassination fair practice. No hesitation Or waiting for I.D So, patiently, I be Taking target practice, my pistol laying beside me If you’re wondering why we Are angry. I’m sorry— I can’t make you, and you don’t wanna know—prob’ly Your mind’s closed. Your blinder’s up I’m thinking time is up, and you got ‘til this rhyme is up To ponder where your mind is ‘cause I feel it coming on. The streets getting warm If the world is this cold I can see there’s a storm On the horizon, and you might be less than ready for rain If a man’s giving you *hell*, and you’re living through pain You ain’t got much to explain when you up and react It’s the pressure that makes pipes burst. Nothing but facts Nothing but raps here, nothing but acts fear provoke 2013 ‘Strange Fruit’, minus the rope [2 (DJ Animosity)] Verdict came out, and I’m sick of this bullshit Wanna let ‘em know I’m the wrong one to fuck with Tired of being a target—I’m not gon’ be a victim Keep your judge, your court and your system Not gon’ depend on having a witness Vigilantes want some; come on and get this Educated and armed, so that makes me dangerous Not gonna be followed by some punk-ass stranger Takin’ ‘im out like an Army Ranger Hear my words. I testify—you feel my anger [Mark O’Mara: Well, I think that things would have been different if George Zimmerman was black for this reason: he never would have been charged with a crime.] [3] Y’all must wanna start a revolution Niggas looking for a good reason to start lootin’ They been shooting in Chi-raq We ain’t gon’ deny facts Fuck a gun buy back; They out here boosting gun racks Wanna reason to fear black males? Give us an inkling Of the feeling it’s open season On us, and we won’t be breathing Unless we protect our Freedom Our Life and our Liberty, in Pursuit of Happiness I can tell you what happens next: I’m thinking of Malcolm X—ain’t looking to turn a cheek Somewhere in America, looking to target me Is a man thinking ‘Birth of a Nation’ without a sheet Who feels his grounds need stood, and probably Since I ain’t his property Won’t properly pardon me But feels like I’m harboring Some aggression, and ought to be More respectful in honoring That I’m here, so he wants to teach me a lesson Except I know what I know—and it’s just this: These fists, these feet, this brain, and this heart Can’t be dismissed without laying a few scars So Somewhere in America They’re fearing ‘cause it’s scarier that Right Here in America We’re ready [Malcolm X: “I do believe that the black man in the United States…is well within his right to do whatever is necessary, by any means necessary, to protect his life and property, especially in a country where the federal government itself has proven it is either unable or unwilling to protect the lives and property of those human beings.”]