Grading on a Curve

[1] If you never said you wanted what was real

Then it was unexpected when I told you how I feel.

When I say I don’t know much, no, it ain’t fiction

But I can only tell you how I’m living. And my vision

Is a mirror image, splitting where I’m from and where I’m going,

Hopefully with precision like a poet who’s performing.

And my brainstorming's more like rain pouring while I’m crying,

So I change more than I explain, or I like to try it.

The lives of giants require a bigger picture

So it could sound offensive to hear that I spit for ****.

But the itchy trigger fingers of killers cutting ‘em down

Matched with plenty bigger things that I see could be more profound

Has me really, really thinking my voice can be more resounding

If I match the proper adjectives, verbs, listen to nouns, and

Try to say it how I heard it when I heard it.

So it’s deliberately worded how it’s worded.

[Hook]

They say it’s often The US that’ll up and pull it

But US is very different when punctuated with bullets.

U.S.—ask and they’ll probably say

In target practice using our backs, they get an A.

And they ain’t grading on a curve.

Say it to they face, they say you grating on they nerves,

By bringing up the past, and saying certain words.

Tell them that it's racist it’s like you said a slur.

[2] So the conversation is over.

I’m the Black guy who will consciously make your quota.

No game—credit will not be given.

Speaking to existence is more than a superstition.

I’m a let you finish, but after I hope you listen.

The ignorance you live in can be your personal prison.

And I got a certain suspicion,

But very few fucks, so it ain’t worth it to give ‘em.

And if I had ‘em to spare,

Then I could write a thesis just to teach that it’s there,

But you could likely see the same aggrievements I’d prepare.

‘Cause that’s what people do when people care.

But you stay in set your positions.

Don’t want the world to change so you change the definitions.

Pretend the world that I describe is not the world you live in

But still you’d like to hear from me forgiveness.

[Hook]

They say it’s often The US that’ll up and pull it

But US is very different when punctuated with bullets.

U.S.—ask and they’ll probably say

In target practice using our backs, they get an A.

And they ain’t grading on a curve.

Say it to they face, they say you grating on they nerves,

By bringing up the past, and saying certain words.

Tell them that it's racist it’s like you said a slur.