
Date of issue: 12.10.2017
Song language: English
Kuya Derrick |
I, am confused |
But maybe it was designed to be that way all along |
It’s like an apple in a tree full of lemons like |
David in the sea of giants |
A loud bully bringing rifles to a food fight |
Like a megaphone trying to disguise itself as a librarian |
It’s like 1930 in Stockton |
Like 1904 in St. Louis |
It’s like I’m in the '80s all over again |
The only Sharpie in a block full of crayons |
Flip-flops in a bin full of Cortez’s |
A bowl haircut in a barber shop lined up with high-top fades and Activator Juice |
They say it’s 5 o’clock somewhere in the world so I’ll just sit here |
Waiting for my drink |
My numbing agent, my escape from all that is real |
Nibble on some peanuts, maybe a banana or two |
My mother always said I needed more potassium so better make that three |
And since I’m a monkey anyway, might as well make that four |
See, they used to call us monkeys |
You know little brown one’s at that |
I used to crawl along alleyways just to fit in |
Was the smartest at math but always played ignorant |
Secretly wanted to be a stuntman in a pursuit of career in engineering |
Or nursing or engineering or nursing |
Because it’s what we brown monkeys do |
But I |
I am more than that |
I am more than brown skin, black hair |
Brown eyes with a slight tilt |
I am more than rice and fish |
Son of immigrant parents |
Island-born, mainland raised |
I am stranger |
Foreign land-dweller but I belong |
I am here |
Pioneer |
Innovator, citizen, tax-paying civilian |
Working just as hard as the next person |
But this time I will not conform |
I will not shuck and jive for your entertainment |
I will not be him or her or them |
I will simply be me |
I will not be Christian for the sake of religion |
I will not be Catholic for the sake of family |
I will not put on a show so you can consume yourself into pious debt |
And while we’re at it |
I am Christian but I am defined more by Jesus than I am doctrine |
I am also frustrated |
I am frustrated by you |
The place where foreigners, strangers, immigrant land-dwellers are supposed to |
feel at home |
The down-and-out addicts, feminist Democrats, independence |
Gender abuse students, the inebriated vagrant, the scientific scholar |
See, I grabbed a book off the shelf yesterday |
The jacket sleeve went mysteriously missing like my identity every time I go |
home |
So I had no idea what the book was about |
But for some reason I could tell it was strong by the spine because it had one |
Unlike you |
At least I could read the book for what it is |
So when the pages flip me off to the next chapter, I am more intrigued than I |
am mad |
It’s surprise endings are honest |
It’s inciting incident actually points in the direction of hope |
It’s central characters are fodder for genuine growth |
The Turett’s that you call political correctness is out of control |
You self medicate on a world view with an agenda that silenced my voice |
And your idea of free speech was re-sold at the 99-cent store |
Even though there was a sticker clearly stating it wasn’t to be used for resale |
I am more than a type-casted movie character |
I am an IT technician, Asian American studies professor |
But I am also Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, atheist |
I am a gardener, dayworker, office assistant, a police officer, firefighter, |
postal worker |
I am barista, epic hipster beard and all |
I am teacher, senator, entrepreneur, linecook, homemaker |
I am president |
I am here |
I am home |
And we |
We are here |
To stay |
Name | Year |
---|---|
Translated Letters ft. Jae Jin | 2017 |
Falling Star | 2019 |
The Sheriff ft. ARTIFEX | 2017 |
I'm Okay ft. NAK | 2018 |
Reasons ft. ARTIFEX | 2017 |
Jealousy ft. ARTIFEX | 2017 |
Like Waves | 2017 |
Aswang | 2017 |
Obsidian ft. ARTIFEX | 2017 |