I was crying when I wrote this
This ain’t for limelight or showbiz
Just listen I’m tryna get you to focus
In case you haven’t noticed
There’s a virus in our system that’s been killing our sisters longer than COVID
I’m tryna spit some realness
Shout out my queens I know you feel this, so sick of the daily pressures you deal with
The disrespect from your male counterparts
I think it’s time we spoke about it and I‘m down to start
I understand that I’m hardly the most qualified
To the speak on feelings most women keep bottled up inside
I hear your stories and memories that leave you horrified
For what it’s worth I just wanna say I apologise
I think as men we often swerve responsibility
Like “yeah that brudda did you dirty, but that isn’t me”
Meanwhile we still got friends in our circle who violate and hurt you but act as if we didn’t see
That’s no better than these racist cops
Who often get away with murder when they’re making stops
The officers who stay silent tryna their save jobs
Are one of many reasons our progress is taking long
Let’s start by addressing the elephant that sits in the room
Most accusations have no evidence or physical proof
The memory’s often so painful, blurred or confusing
That women start to tell themselves it couldn’t true
And that tends to be case with many types of abuse
You tell yourself it never happened or you make an excuse
You don’t wanna be a victim with your face in the news
Forced to relive a nightmare that you didn’t choose
And even if you stand out, it’s your word against a man’s now
And that’s when you push your pain to the background
But pain never leaves it just spreads thin
To different parts of your life you never expected
A higher standard for boys
That’s how we’ll change things
Sexism it’s rooted in how we raise them
Men objectify women and yet we praise them
“Boys will be boys” they grow up and do the same things
A rape whistle in your purse but you shouldn’t need one
A real man, some women grow up and never meet one
Instead of teaching my daughter to spot predators
There’s greater benefit in teaching my son not to be one
You should have the freedom to go where ever you please
Without the fear of being harassed when you’re on the streets
Or in a nightclub, in a classroom
At your work place or in a public bathroom
It never matters how you’re dressed we have no right
Can’t believe you have to explain, mandem should know why
Bruddas grabbing on you the moment they see you roll by
Lurking round after the rave, thirsty the whole night
Like “Yo come chat to me babes, you’re looking so nice”
He don’t take rejection well due to his own pride
Forced to say you got a man even when that’s a whole lie
The whole time you’re scared that he’ll lose his temper in no time
And that fear can leave you paralysed
It makes you go along with things you wouldn’t otherwise
You blame yourself but it wasn’t your fault
You deserve better than what our society’s taught
I’m sorry
