When Will I Be Mine?

Little girls can't be girls when there's men outside I remember the first time I was sexualized I was 8 years old riding on my bike And I was in a swimsuit 'cause it was hot outside I thought when I grew up into my teenage years I would have more luck I'd have nothing to fear 'Till I was assaulted and frowned upon by my peers I was faulted for the way I appeared I'm not surprised Men take what isn't there's but what pleases Women, land, money, natives in the name of "Jesus" I'm not surprised my rights were taken under the guise of a fetus They want to protect the children but not when they actually need us Not when they're gay, trans, homeless, poor, or when they disagree Only when they're in the womb but not when they're out in the streets Abortion is illegal for poor, women of color But what would you do for your white, wealthy, mother? Would you watch her bleed out on the table from an ectopic pregnancy? Watch her give birth to a baby from a forced rapist's seed? What about your little sister who has sex for the first time? Aren't contraceptives the next thing you want to take from our rights? So she gets pregnant at 15 changes her whole life If she survives But she never got the chance to decide No I'm not surprised My body? It's never been mine. When will I be mine? When will I be mine? When will I be mine? When will I be... I'm tired of the argument: "NOT ALL MEN" If it's not you, who is it then? All the good men in my life fit on one hand And for all you being quiet I wish you'd take a stand 'Cause its not all men, but it is all women Since 1998 it's been about 18 million And that's just rape Not cat calling or hands that explore Or those who were afraid to report You think I'm only talking 'bout Brock Turner's in alleyways? He got 6 months then got out in 3 months anyways Not every malicious man only attacks in the dark Most the time it's those you've known since you were in head start It's all the boys that swore they were "joking with their friends" But then grew up to view us as means to an end It's a culture that runs deeper than we're willing to admit It's the way girls are raised to obey and submit It's our porn, movie, tv, songs, written in our history Couldn't even have our own credit cards till 1970's And look at us now changing the 14th amendment Tryna pretend "WOW, it'll really make a positive difference!" But when we're born we're forced to look through other's eyes How do I appear, speak, act, what is today's compromise? I'm a whore or I'm a saint but both of those you despise And then you want to bring a baby here and say "SURPRISE!" "Your body?" "It's mine." When will I be mine? When will I be mine? When will I be mine? When will I be... I spoke in a moment of frustration But I stood in awe at all of your relation I couldn't tell you how many times I read: "When I was 8..." "When I was 4..." "When I was 10..." I'm sorry you've been where I've been And if I could be with you now I'd tell you it's okay But with the way things are going I know we don't feel safe So I ask you if you do relate Scream it from the top of your lungs and don't hesitate: When will I be mine? When will I be mine? When will I mine? When will I be... Mine.