Start Seeing Diversity Blog: Creating Art

 

I immediately thought about a song that was written by my husband when I read the assignment. It describes the mentality of so many young African American males who were not given the opportunity to become who they wanted to become because of biases, discomforts, and trauma. This song does not in anyway depict my husband's life. He is simply describing the lives of young African American men from the "hood." 

 

 

 

I Don't Want to be a Gangster

 

 

This is the tale of a young man who fell victim to an underprivileged upbringing.

 

I be on the block with the rocks off in my socks

 

Trying to hustle up a knot

 

I ain't worried bout a cop

 

Cause I'm a G, ain't nobody out here gone mess with me.

 

I been on my own; I ain't never had a family

 

My mama using drugs

 

Papa in the penitentiary

 

And he ain't getting out

 

They gave my pop a whole century

 

Think I see some him in me

 

That's what my granny say

 

I don't want to live this life

 

But I don't see no other way

 

When I was a little kid I used to look up at he stars

 

Thought I'd be the first man to make it up to Mars

 

But I ain't get no help in school

 

So I gave up on my dream

 

And I just went to getting it with this his triple beam

 

But sometimes I sit and wonder what would happen had I never gave up

 

Had I never took the attitude that I don't give a damn

 

Cause I really give a damn if the truth is really told

 

And I'm not the only one

 

All the real G's know

 

That I don't want to be a Gangster

 

By: Adam Wells