Benefit Of The Doubt

Moved to a new school when I was 8
Boys called me four eyes pulled out my braids
But it wasn't long before we'd all hangout
I always got the benefit of the doubt
Only 5 girls in that 3rd grade class
The boys had a favorite they liked to harass
Mixed in with pale kids her dark skin stood out
Charity never got the benefit of the doubt

Silently, I would watch, the torment begin
Pick at her hair, point at her hips
Told the lies the lies the lies the lies
That it wasn't about the color of her skin

5th grade Carolyn called me a cheat
For looking at answers under my feet
I stood up straight and lied with a shout
I always got the benefit of the doubt
Another day another test eyes peeking around
Somebody's cheat sheet fell to the ground
Kids pointed their fingers, the teacher screamed out
Charity never got the benefit of the doubt

Silently, I would watch, the torment begin
Pick at her clothes, point at her lips
Told the lies the lies the lies the lies
That it wasn't about the color of her skin

We were kids in the 80's
With Pop tarts and The A team
Freedom was wind on a bike
We were told to be colorblind
Because we'd left behind
All that history of black and white
Even though the wars on drugs
And welfare and thugs
Played on the news every night

Trinity left in 8th grade, she's pregnant we joked
Thoughtless cruelty haunts me like a ghost
If only I'd seen as child what I see now
To break these chains, I proceed without

The benefit
Oh the benefit of the doubt
Oooo