[Intro: BxK]
We're so quick to judge everyone else
Without first putting ourselves to the test
You pout and point the finger all the while
But it's you, it's you in the reflection
And I'm fucking sick of it, Kody
[Verse 1: Young Mvchetes]
He wears a “rebel flag” and tells me he is unafraid
He spouts the ‘n word’ and tells me he is unafraid
He packs his lip full and struts around unafraid
He is my brother, and I can’t help but be afraid
And angry at what my baby brother’s become –
Above his big heart lies confederate stone:
A monument; a testament to brainwashed kids –
Bitter and resentful, mixed with bigoted myths
Yet, maybe I’m to blame for my brother’s lifestyle –
Always caught on myself and never coming around
To guide him and teach him the ways of respect;
The privilege of complexion; the cause and effect;
And if I’d played the role model, maybe things would be different
Maybe my baby brother wouldn’t grow around ignorance
Yet I make an excuse for every moment I’m not
As sharp as I may seem, but trust it’s just a façade
Because I know what’s right – this I can’t deny –
Still I press him off and instead get high
All by myself in my room while he’s drowning in liquor
And his cries are unheard, so his hate grows bigger
And maybe if I’d stand, things still could change
Yet still I’m silent; complacent; and self-abstained
But if I won’t change, then why should he?
Because we’re both at fault, contributing
To a culture of hate, who won’t educate –
We just judge in silence while they demonstrate
That we all have brothers who we fight or flight
While the real criminals stay deep inside
[Hook]
CHANGE WON’T COME IF YOU WON’T CHANGE
CHANGE CAN’T COME IF WE DON’T CHANGE
CHANGE WON’T COME IF I WON’T CHANGE
CHANGE WON’T COME IF YOU DON’T CHALLENGE
YOURSELF AND EVERYONE ELSE AROUND YOU
[Verse 2: BxK]
Dear sister
I’m somewhere lost in my own psyche;
Sunken in the matter;
Up to my jugular in jagged thoughts against myself
I was convinced I was a rotting corpse, not
Realizing I was needed by those who resemble me
And share my own genetic makeup
But now you old enough to wear makeup –
Growing up on me –
Young sprout-lings capable of all
I’m remembering the time I didn’t notice you getting tall;
Now, I worry when I miss you play ball, or when I miss a call
Because these times I chase after –
Hoping to replace the years I was AWOL
Opening up now, who knew I was capable?
Remembrance of short glimpses of you as an infant
And sharing gifts over Christmas
Dear mama in the kitchen, making up games as we grew –
Handmade funny phrases –
Home remedies were the easiest when the love is evident...
I promise to be all I can, whenever reality is too much to stand against
Or when you’re afraid to be everything you can be...
I mistake myself for being less of your brother
Just know when there’s trouble, I’ll stay in the head
And here’s this, but I’m more than confident you’ll make it
No more mistakes, our bond will provide trust
Despite where my mind was and will be, I’ll always be willing
The power to be the force that surrounds us when we need it most –
The foundation for our image –
I’m your brother – blood pact with a blood order
And our hearts bump the same DNA – thicker than aqua
Closer than no other, I’m proud to share the same mother
But don’t make the same mistakes;
Keep your head on straight, but
How do I keep my head on straight?
[Hook]
CHANGE WON’T COME IF YOU WON’T CHANGE
CHANGE CAN’T COME IF WE DON’T CHANGE
CHANGE WON’T COME IF I WON’T CHANGE
CHANGE WON’T COME IF YOU DON’T CHALLENGE
YOURSELF AND EVERYONE ELSE AROUND YOU!
YOU!
YOU!
[Outro: Young Mvchetes]
We're so quick to judge everyone else
Without first putting ourselves through the test
I know when I find myself in the mirror
I find absolutely nothing...
...and that's just gotta change
