Silence Is Violence

Yeah
I need a second to reflect on what I'm seeing in the news
I see weapons intercepting, thoughts of people wearing blue
Clearly not though, hatred in their face is premeditated
We got phones recording moments, proving some law enforces are outlaws
I say some, not every cop abusing power
But look from out of perspectives and biases and think about it
The way it looks is more corruption than rebuilding
So much killing got me feeling up with feelings I've been concealing
'Cause I'm afraid to say it wrong, but fuck it, this ain't about me
This about the people they got laying down pleading
Begging to breath, pressing they knees against they necks
Even the Devil sees this and contemplates therapy, yes
That's why they see marching in these streets
Screaming names of all the people that's are wrongfully deceased
That should never be this common at the arms of the police
Don't tell me "All Lives Matter", all your arguments are weak
Tell me how you would feel if you got pulled over and Mr. 12
Gets up out his car, he approaching and screaming loud
"Roll the fucking windows down", if you don't then you know it's blauh
You peep the side mirror, he close and gun's already out
What to do? I don't have any clue
Never had to fear the man that wears a badge to shoot
Shit is sad but it's true, we need compassion, we do
No more victims, let the past be the last thing we have to lose

I just wanna get away from the past
Thinking 'bout a life where the hate don't last
Feel like people scared of moving forward, so attached
And what they know is wrong and some of us still get a badge
I don't wanna say I'm on, that'd be wrong
Feel like this been going on for way too long
Of course we gon' be fired up, we tired of
Seeing people have to fight for help, we've cried enough
Oh yeah

Silent, don't be silent
If you are, you're just as violent
They can try to keep us quiet
They can't hide from the one that's highest, no

Let me tell you what happened to me last night
I was with a few homies and had a drink around 9
At 11:30, I was try'na sleep, said "Bye"
To the guys and their parents, said I'm sober so I can drive
In the whip now, headed home, bumping unreleased shit
Good vibes on the highway, I'm feeling free then
Boom, see the lights, red and blue all over me, shit
Something ain't right but I pull off and I hear creeping
He at my window, shining light up in my face
Had aggression in his tone before I even said a thing
He said "Where you coming from? And tell me, how much did you drink?"
I told the truth, I said "A beer out a SOLO cup from a keg"
And he said "Bullshit, exit the vehicle and let's talk"
I complied and now I'm sitting on the hood of my car
Young dude probably try'na make a name as a cop
I understand the game, but I couldn't believe this at all
He takes a pen out his pocket and told me "Look at the cap"
"Austin don't take your eyes off it", I'm talking to me in my head
He started moving and I'm glued to it, I know that I've passed
He puts the pen away and said "I want you to take a few steps
Go heel to toe, count 'em out, nine forward then back"
This on 287 so there's trucks and shit flying past
Did nine flawless so I turn around and do nine back
I see my car, his behind, and now seven more behind his now
I got all these pigs around me, felt like I was on a farm
Shoulders back and chest out, I can tell they try'na look strong
One comes over, turns me around after grabbing my arm
Slaps the cuffs and does the search and finds nothing because they wrong
Still they left me in cuffs even though I did nothing
Now he walks me to his car and I'm like "Nah, bro"
I little shaky in my legs, I was nervous, I ain't faking
Started reading my Mirandas like Cosgrove
"You under arrest for D-W-I" I said "Huh?"
He said "Son, don't make me have to say it twice"
Then it hit me, at this point, I ain't even been breathalyzed
I'm in the car, he started driving, bumping Em the whole ride
He was blasting it, pull up to the station and I'm mad as shit, what's happening?
Brings me to my cell and then he slams that shit
My anger is through the fucking roof, my dude imagine
If you sober and get pulled over and this is where it lands you at
Talking to me through the cell, pressing me to tell 'em that
I sipped more than I did, but the truth is they wasn't having it
Want me to admit shit I ain't did, 'cause they harassing me
In two hours, the breathalyzer's set up and he hands me it
I deep breath of fresh air, I exhale and waited
The results are printed, he stands there and reads it
Me mad, I can't wait 'cause he has to say it
0.00, bitch that's what I've been saying
I told you, now I'm free to go, the homie Jordan picked me up
Shit I'm on my way home and now my mind is going nuts
Moment to reflect my thoughts, I oughta openly discuss
But what I asked myself is valid so let me open up
What if I was black?
What would've went differently? Tears, I'm holding 'em back
'Cause I done told the cops the truth from the jump but they still harassed
But then I think of all the videos I've seen
And now I have a first hand experience that they would probably see and laugh
What they go through day to day is not comparable' what happened to me
And it's evident, it's true, we all got access to see
The Twitter videos they never show on actual TV
Hug the ones you love, express it while you can
Know that no one is above, we all humans at the end
Different backgrounds is a blessing, teach each others what we can
If you listen, then I love you and forever I'll be here

I just wanna get away from the past
Thinking 'bout a life where the hate don't last
Feel like people scared of moving forward, so attached
And what they know is wrong and some of us still get a badge
I don't wanna say I'm on, that'd be wrong
Feel like this been going on for way too long
Of course we gon' be fired up, we tired of
Seeing people have to fight for help, we've cried enough
Oh yeah

Silent, don't be silent
If you are, you're just as violent
They can try to keep us quiet
They can't hide from the one that's highest, no