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bashy - how black men lose their smile lyrics

[verse]
yo, looking back at some pictures and they had me thinking wow
i was a happy child, very happy
my hair nappy running ‘round in my nappy wild
beautiful skin dark chocolate brown
rarely riled, temperament mild
before the age of one i could count
the world was home and my nana’s house
everyone dancing laughing loud
there was encouragement all around
safe environment could be myself
my hair in plaits long as any girls
got to school they said to take it out
that’s how black men lose their smile
i was a clever child
smart, i was sharp as nails
more advanced than my whole class
learning at their pace slowed me down
sped through work then would mess about
they should’ve given me extra help
but said i was trouble then kicked me out
that’s how black men lose their smile
yeah, system set up for me to fail
didn’t share features with my teachers
that has effects on your sense of self
that has effects on your mental health
lies out the colonizers mouth
teach us we didn’t build egypt
that’s how black men lose their smile
saw young pictures of my dad
so handsome, happy and proud
growing up i just saw him frown
at the time i couldn’t comprehend
life through the eyes of a juvenile
i had to live i understand it now
black man living in a next man’s world
that’s how black men lose their smile
yeah, melanin strong so we all stand out
prejudice everywhere that i exist
feels like i live my whole life on trial
karen’s scared weaponising fear
phones come out and then police get dialed
that how little white lies can k!ll
that’s how black men lose their smile
that’s how black men lose their life
the world has made me hate myself
i’m scared of men that look like me
self hatred rooted so deep
him or i, i must protect myself
i’m going grave or i’m going jail
that’s how black men lose their smile
yeah, saw my grandad old and frail
face turned hard from the pain he felt
no complaints, played the hand he’s dealt
told me history it made me cry
told me his story it made me melt
cos that’s how black men lose their smile
had genocide, been terrorised
been scrutinised, been brutalised
been ghettoised, been s+xualised
been sterilised, been plagiarised
unrecognised, been jeopardised
been tyrannised, been trivialised
been stigmatised, been ostracised
demoralised, dehumanised
traumatised, but full of pride
hold me down and still i rise
world on my shoulder
still i thrive
by any means i will survive
i will try ‘til the day i die
we’re out here fighting for our lives
and that’s how black men lose their smile
that’s how black men lose their smile
[outro]
every day is like a battle, but we’ll overcome
when we get back in the saddle, faith will bring us home
every day is like a battle, but we’ll overcome
when we get back in the saddle, faith will bring us home

- bashy lyrics

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