A teacher had asked me to be the "inna-city" voice,
To say "Yes" to this challenge was completely my choice.
This tainted perspective the media portrays,
Tears through our lives misrepresentin' our days.
As if we all get up and breed on mad violence,
The truth of the matter there's a ghetto alliance.
Why not be who we really are?

False stereotypes and negativity,
Proliferatin' our youth's criminal activity.
This formidable necessity is a trust and respect,
Without this torturous abuse and neglect.
As if all city kids are dope dealin' ganstas,
Or soon to be felons procreatin' new prankstas.
Why be victims of this devious portrayal?

We choose to be survivors and make somethin' of life,
Not the alternative and pick up a knife.
We go to school and hope to make the grade,
While others work as they hope to get paid.
Some of us volunteer and work with the elderly,
People never know how great we can be.
Why fall into the fabricated image?

Only 26% asked say they smoke weed,
While 74% are dying to be freed.
Freed from the negative image held by others,
From liars who only pretend to be our brothers.
People outside could never understand the ghetto,
Out there it's like walking through the meadow.
Why mask our potential by falsified visions?

The media's blind to all of our good,
They only see young boys and girls in the hood.
Some live everyday doin' good for the community,
Some live searchin' for the immunity.
That's what makes this story so tragic,
What could be the risk in missing our magic?
Why not give us a chance?

By: Stacy Hessler
Originally Written: January 17, 2001