This is Life 

By: Jerry Vaughn

Born in a nation where my skin places a value on my life 

Fear for my brothers and sisters in strife with law enforcement 

That is life. 

A nation that was built on pillaging and false endorsements  

The law took advantage of people different than them and beneath them 

That is life. 

A never-ending system where my brothers and sisters are tortured because of their skin 

The pain follows onto their community, their family, their kin 

That is life.  

Red blood on the hands of the law and clear tears on the faces of the victim’s family 

A permanent stain on the clothes of both sides 

That is life. 

Until we are heard and treated fairly, there will be no peace 

The law shall put down violence and weapons piece by piece 

Hatred, blood, and tears will continue to drop 

Bullets will fly, tasers will sting, and bodies will drop 

We fight and protest all in peace until we see change 

This is life.