[Verse 1]
I was born on this soil
Still they ask me where I’m from
Got a flag in my front yard
But they only see my momma’s skin tone
Eyes follow when I walk in
Like I’m smuggling a storm
Pray in pews every Sunday
Then get judged in my uniform
I pay tax, I pay dues
Still they look right through me
Scroll past my story
Til they see me on the news screen
Try to say it ain’t that deep
“Girl, you’re reading it wrong”
You ain’t never had your life
Argued in a comment section
[Chorus]
I’m black in America
You act like you don’t know me
Love the way I move and talk
But you hate what you call “too angry”
I’m black in America
Heart loud as a marching band
If you won’t stand up for me
I’ll stand up with my own two hands
(I’ll fight for my rights, yeah)
I’ll stand up with my own two hands
[Verse 2]
You like my curls on your timeline
Quote my words in your feed
But when I say “I’m not safe”
You say “Girl, that’s just TV”
You wear my culture like costume
Take it off when it gets too real
I don’t get to unzip this
Every stare, every stop, I feel
Grandma kept her ID
By the bible in her coat
Told me “baby, speak softly”
But these days I need my throat
If I don’t raise it, who will
When they write my story wrong?
I’m tired of being your lesson
I’m ready to be the law
[Chorus]
I’m black in America
You act like you don’t know me
Love the way I move and talk
But you hate what you call “too angry”
I’m black in America
Heart loud as a marching band
If you won’t stand up for me
I’ll stand up with my own two hands
(I’ll fight for my rights, yeah)
I’ll stand up with my own two hands
[Bridge]
This my body, this my voice
This my history, this my choice
You can fear me, you can try
But you won’t erase my life
From the cotton to the concrete
We been building up your streets
Now I’m knocking on the door
Til you hear me when I speak (hey!)
[Chorus]
I’m black in America
You act like you don’t know me
Love the way I move and talk
But you hate what you call “too angry”
I’m black in America
Heart loud as a marching band
If you won’t stand up for me
I’ll stand up with my own two hands
(I’ll fight for my rights, yeah)
I’ll stand up with my own two hands