RESPONSIBILITY
We were living in oppression
And it’s still a great depression
To see our black men so weak and weathered
In a game ruled on drugs, tricks and fame
Some of these men are one in the same
But what is the game? Can you honestly say?
You look like you living large when you don’t got a damn thing
You wanna be a leader and you wanna make it big
And when you make it no where wanna blame it on the man
Some kids are growing up to aspire to be nothing
To work hard enough for the gov to give them something
While their moms are working hard just to keep them out of trouble
But their working even harder just to see their money double
You see they rather take the risk of going to jail
Instead of going to school cuz their scared to fail
16 and pregnant, Maury, and teen mom
Have given young girls something else to aspire for
Pregnancy pacts and feelings of being left out
Have put these girls in a situation that they wish they could take back
But get up off your asses if you wanna be something
Ain’t nobody gon hand it to you, you gotta work for it
You gotta go to college, gotta get your education
Then get a job, maybe open up a business
And a woman’s worth, nah a woman scorned
Means nothing to a man whose hand is too strong
And yet and still, I see the same thing
As I walk down the block to these boys who think they’re men
Asking for my number for a chance down my pants
And his highest education? He completed ninth grade
when I’m walking down the block with a BA to my name
I’m sorry sir, you have nothing for me
When the only thing you offer is a baby and some weed
Stop having babies; keep your dick in your pants
And even if you do, try to be there for them men
Too many baby mamas and too many baby daddies
Where are all the husbands at, why can’t we stay together?
Why can’t we be a family and try to work it out?
The divorce rate is so high; we wonder what is this about?
We forget about unity, don’t even know what it means
To try to work together, cuz we gotta be a team
You see I grew up on the block this is nothing new to me
I’m just waiting for someone who’ll take responsibility.
© 2011 Catherine Hagler
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