The N Word

I hear it on the radio to a latin beat
Caucasian youth use it in their daily speech
outdoors it seems to ooze right out my skin
We are forced to live our life
Often prisoners of our darker flesh
I remember when it started
Hella White kids sayin Fresh
Yet for us we had no choice
Environment breeds a ghetto superstar
I never thought I could see myself
In ignorant images, clothes or cars
Our neighborhoods infested
By the spread of crack cocaine
The loss of their whole family
Would drive any kid insane
We lived like gladiators to stay alive
Guided by instinct to survive
They say Rap is used to glamourize
Yet it was created to rationalize
The horror of our streets.

Patricia Lane Casanova

Copyright �©2006 Patricia Casanova