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I Can’t Breathe, by Devin Marie

I can’t breathe.
I can’t breathe.
I can’t breathe.
I can’t breathe. 

I’m tired of living in the skin I’m in

I didn’t know danger was synonymous with melanin

I go for jogs bur I never ask my brother to come

‘cause God forbid anybody sees a black man run

I’m getting tired of pleading the case of men who can’t speak out with a gun in their face

Or of boys who shop  at convenience stores

Whose only crime was having skin different than yours

What will it take to make you see
the only difference between you and me
is people listen when you speak
so listen carefully

I can’t breathe
I can’t breathe

It’s hard living in a world where it’s fine

to call the cops on him for no reason or rhyme

or because he didn’t have a permit to sell his water

All our sons and daughters are dying before they get to reach for their dreams

But when we reach for Skittles or our wallet somebody screams

And even when we try to explain what we are doing

People start shooting

What will it take for you to realize

We know that not all cops are bad guys

But to the ones to look us in the eyes 

And keep holding on as we cry

I can’t breathe (I can’t breathe)
I can’t breathe (move your knee)
I can’t breathe (unhand me)
I can’t breathe

You’re killing me