Dear America I’m tired of wearing my mask
It’s getting hard to breathe
No not the N95, cloth, or the paper kind
I’m talking about the ideal black man type
I’m tired of talking a certain way
I’m tired of walking a certain way
I’m tired of wearing certain clothes
I’m tired of smiling like I’m ok
I’m tired of checking boxes
America I’m tired of wearing my mask
I can’t breathe
I’m tired of seeing another brother like me killed
I’m tired of adjusting my everyday life so that I can make you comfortable
What more do I have to do
If I flinch
If I raise my voice
If I square my shoulders
If I speak my God-given mind
I’m a threat and must be put down
I fit the description as soon as walk out of my door
I have a target in my back since birth
America I’m tired of wearing my mask
I’m struggling to breathe
If I cry I’m weak
If I yell I’m aggressive
If take a break I’m lazy
If I pull a double to support my family I’m working too much
America I’m tired of wearing my mask
It’s suffocating me
No mater how much income I earn
No matter how much education I obtain
No matter how loving I am
No matter how gifted I am
I’m just another threat
America I’m tired of wearing my mask mask
Can I breathe please
Yet I put it on to have a chance
I wear it to protect my life
I wear it so my momma and dad won’t have to bury their only son
I wear because maybe just maybe I can be seen as human
I wear it but I don’t feel secure
America I’m tired of wearing my mask
Im craving for air can I breathe
