JOY

I been looking for some joy when the times get dark
I find myself making peace with my past through the art
They going crazy at the shows, help us run up the coin
But, deep down, I'm sorta scared that they missing the point

Tryna make a way for the kids who look like us
Kids who think like me, show 'em that they can be
Anything that they want, don't care what others think
But that's easier to say when it's harder to breathe

It's hard to find joy in the country that I'm in
Especially when they'll kill you for the color of your skin
The white boys that used to be my bros when we was kids
Seemed to be on the whole other side when we got big

Try to keep my cool, but my patience running thin
I feel the hate in all the little messages they sent through the media
Sometimes, it feels like my hometown is heating up
I ain't felt much joy since a lil' pup

Wish we could go backwards in time
'Cause things were better before and you've been on my mind
Lately, joy's been harder to find
With the hate of my skin, I've been needing a sign

You grow up and then you pass away
Then wake up and act like there wasn't yesterday
I still got problems remember when you didn't wanna say
You didn't like your face 'cause they said it's the wrong color pallet?

Try to fit in like I had the wrong size
Said I had no future, don't believe in them lies
See the sun shining when you look in my eyes
Ain't no need for disguise, nah, so

So what's the point of living if we tryna kill each other?
If you see past the color, you can be my brother
See us dying on the news, then you see another
Then you see another, uh, so

Wanna move on, but I still need a reason (reasons)
Don't get too lost in the company that you're keeping
Things will get better, you just need to keep dreaming
Just keep dreaming, so

Wish we could go backwards in time
'Cause things were better before and you've been on my mind
Lately, joy's been harder to find
With the hate of my skin, I've been needing a sign

Wish we could go backwards in time
'Cause things were better before and you've been on my mind
Lately, joy's been harder to find
With the hate of my skin, I've been needing a sign

Um, there weren't many people of color around me that I could confide any feelings of
Anger, sadness, confusion, really anything I could confide into
But, uhm, not until I was older did I realize, you know
The best way to combat that bullshit is to just surround yourself by people like you, people of color, people
Anyone, really, who just sees you as you
Just sees you as your friend, it doesn't matter your gender
It doesn't matter your race, it doesn't matter, they're just there for you (there for you)