AIN'T NO NIGGER

By R. Pieter

Turns my stomach 
Blows my mind 
When I hear these words 
Come from my own kind 
WHAT'S UP NIGGER? 

Everyday that passes 
Everywhere I go 
Young brothers act 
As if they don't know 
About the history 
WHAT'S UP NIGGER 
Ain't no mystery 
That the whip was cracked 
Across your back 
But I still hear brothers say 
WHAT'S UP NIGGER? 
As if they don't know about 
Hangin from a tree 
Being shit on and pissed on 
For all to see 
Like that really struck fear 
Well, dig this brothers 
We all still here!! 
Despite their meetings 
In the night at the slave shack 
in the field 
Propositioning our sisters 
so that hey could cop a feel 
Of The greatness. 
And I just hate this. 
This feeling that cringes 
Within my gut 
When I hear brothers say 
As they strut 
WHAT'S UP NIGGER? 

Damn kid!! 
When you gonna learn? 
How you were called a nigger 
While they tortured you and burned 
Their fiery cross of hate 
And it ain't too late my brother 
To start respecting yourself 
And then each other. 
But you seem to be comfortable 
Calling me this. 
This degrading word 
That's meant as a diss 
Like those old ass descriptions 
Sambo? and Boy? 
You think calling me a nigger 
Brings me joy? 
It hurts me 
It shames me 
It makes me mad
How you don't seem to realize 
Just how sad 
It is to be referred to 
Like I'm not you 
Standing in front of you 
A Nigger! 
Is that all I am? 
A Nigger? 
Is that what you see me as? 
A Nigger? 
Is that who you are? 
A Nigger? 
Does it make you feel bigger? 
When you pull the trigger? 
Just another job 
For another gravedigger 
Unknown without a name 
Another nigger 
That they tried to tame 
Well, A nigger is 
As a nigger does 
And a nigger with a bullet in his head 
Is a nigger that was. 
We've gotta stop the madness 
And not be so blind 
Dig the tricks 
While we still have time 
Walk with pride 
And remember those 
Who were called a nigger 
As they took the blows 
And Survived 
(And if not for them would we be alive?) 
So wake up now and 
Take a stand 
And stop referring to me 
As less than a man 
Check yourself 
On this very thing 
Cause ain't no nigger 
Can be no king 
And in the future 
when greeting me or another 
Keep it real, like 
WHAT'S UP BROTHER?