“That’s How Black Men Lose Their Smile”

[ReasonableMatic]

Looking back at some pictures and they had me thinking “wow”
I was a happy child..
Very happy and my hair nappy, running 'round in my nappy, wild
Beautiful skin, dark chocolate Brown
Rarely riled, temperament mild,
before the age of 1, I could count
The world was home and my Nana's house,
everyone dancing, laughing loud
There was encouragement all around,
safe environment, could be myself
My hair in plaits, long as any girls
l got to school, they said to take it out……
THAT’S How Black Men Lose Their Smile

I was a clever child..
Smart, I was sharp as nails,
more advanced than my whole class
Learning at their pace, slowed me down
sped through work, then would mess about
They should’ve given me extra help,
but said I was trouble, then kicked me out…..
THAT’S How Black Men Lose Their Smile

System, set up for me to fail
Didn’t share features with my teachers
THAT has effects on your sense of self,
THAT has effects on your Mental Health
Lies, out the colonizers mouth,
teach us we didn't build Egypt…..
THAT’S How Black Men Lose Their Smile

Saw young pictures of my Dad,
so handsome, happy and proud
Growing up, I just saw him frown
At the time, I couldn't comprehend,
life through the eyes of a juvenile
I had to live, I understand it now..
Black man, living in a next man's world…..
THAT’S How Black Men Lose Their Smile

Melanin strong, so we all stand out..
Prejudice, everywhere that I exist,
feels like I live my whole life on trial
Karen's scared, weaponising fear
phones come out and then Police get dialed,
THAT’S how Little White Lies can kill,
THAT’S How Black Men Lose Their Smile
THAT’S how Black men lose their life
The world has made me hate myself
I'm scared of men that look like me
Self hatred, rooted so deep
him or I, I must protect myself,
I'm going grave or I'm going jail,
THAT’S How Black Men Lose Their Smile..

Saw my Granddad old and frail
Face turned hard, from the pain he felt,
no complaints, played the hand he's dealt
Told me history, it made me cry..
Told me his story, it made me melt…..
‘cause THAT’S How Black Men Lose Their Smile

Had genocide, been terrorised
Been scrutinised, been brutalised
Been ghettoised, been sexualised
Been sterilised, been plagiarised
Unrecognised, been jeopardised
Been tyrannised, been trivialised
Been stigmatised, been ostracised
Demoralised, dehumanised
Traumatised, but FULL of pride,
hold me down and STILL I rise,
world on my shoulder, still I thrive,
By ANY means, I WILL survive,
I will try, 'til the day I die
We're out here fighting for our lives..
And THAT’S How Black Men Lose Their Smile…..

- Bashy (That’s How Black Men Lose Their Smile)

My UK homie sent me this and I had to take a walk,
shyt hit too close to home

 

[Space Cowboy]

I was made fun of for my smile in my yearbook picture by some nikkas and stopped smiling in pictures after that

 

[bigdaddy88]

Being around Cacs can do that to you..it is what is....when in private am happy as can be

 

[315]

Bashy? Sound like a British rapper name

 

[Neuromancer]

Subs

 

[Fill Collins]

I lost my smile at the age of 12

 

[Space Cowboy]

I lost my smile at the age of 12

Same age as me man

 

[Braman]

I’ll be honest, any time I see a blanket ‘black men’ statement it’s some weak ass victim type shyt incoming shyts feminine.

 

[Roger king]

I like it its a new approach and a refreshing one away from promoting violence, drugs and promiscuity, i rather this be the image of black men than those other rappers bragging about shooting and going against their opps

 

[Mike809]

 

[Fill Collins]

He gives good advice on the symptoms of angry depression



Time waits for no man, we're not women, gotta let the hurt and guilt stay in the past, or try to

Godspeed

 

[Jaylen Tatum]

Bashy? Sound like a British rapper name

He is