Benefit of the Doubt

Moved to a new school when I was 8 Boys called me four eyes pulled out my braids But it wasn't long before we'd all hangout I always got the benefit of the doubt Only 5 girls in that 3rd grade class The boys had a favorite they liked to harass Mixed in with pale kids her dark skin stood out Charity never got the benefit of the doubt Silently, I would watch, the torment begin Pick at her hair, point at her hips Told the lies the lies the lies the lies That it wasn't about the color of her skin 5th grade Carolyn called me a cheat For looking at answers under my feet I stood up straight and lied with a shout I always got the benefit of the doubt Another day another test eyes peeking around Somebody's cheat sheet fell to the ground Kids pointed their fingers, the teacher screamed out Charity never got the benefit of the doubt Silently, I would watch, the torment begin Pick at her clothes, point at her lips Told the lies the lies the lies the lies That it wasn't about the color of her skin We were kids in the 80's With Pop tarts and The A team Freedom was wind on a bike We were told to be colorblind Because we'd left behind All that history of black and white Even though the wars on drugs And welfare and thugs Played on the news every night Trinity left in 8th grade, she's pregnant we joked Thoughtless cruelty haunts me like a ghost If only I'd seen as child what I see now To break these chains, I proceed without The benefit Oh the benefit of the doubt Oooo