Where I'm From Pt. 1

Where I'm from isn't as bad as people always make it seem[00:12.09]Where I'm from kids are finding better ways than breaking the laws, smoking, and drinking[00:15.97]They're now taking a pause, stopping and thinking, making better choices to prepare for their future, cuz livin life as a bum is not something they can get used to[00:25.16]But where I'm from some bums dress better than teachers[00:29.05]And have more faith than our preachers and since there's no money their life is now featured around violence and crime and half of their time is spent begging for dimes[00:37.25]Yes, the coin and the bag[00:39.66]Because they'd rather get a drag than a job[00:42.24]But change is what we need so society can breathe a breath of fresh air by knowing our kids care about going to school cuz Kanye West has now made it cool to be a drop out.[00:52.17]Mr. Mr., them teachers don't like me is a cop out[00:55.15]Them cop's out to get me is an excuse[00:58.13]So excuse me for telling it like it is but I'm blaming it on the parents.[01:01.54]Cuz apparently, nothing is being said at home, too many kids feel alone[01:06.21]Where I'm from, if you catch em while they're young, there's still time for change, yet so many have grown stubborn their ways and now their days are spent are spent behind bars, jail house rap stars, body builders and Ballers and I'm just callin it how I see it, cuz I've seen it, as far as you know I could be it[01:22.57]Where I'm from isn't as bad as people always make it seem[01:25.09]Where I'm from, more kids no how to curse than write cursive and use words like lookded, hurted and worstest[01:33.64]She told me, Mr. Mr., he lookeded gooood but his girl was the worstest, it hurted my eyes looking at her[01:44.10]And where I'm from, most people do laugh & no one wants to correct her, they just choose to neglect her[01:51.49]Which is nothing new cuz so many men have already done it before[01:55.09]Her mother's ex-boyfriend, her father[01:58.12]Her own ex-boyfriend, a father[02:01.35]Her sister's soon to be ex-boyfriend, a father of three and two on the way and it's so sad to say that too many men in this world have abandoned little girls or little boys for that matter[02:11.73]What ever happened to Daddy's little girl[02:14.87]Cuz in this world, yes, even where I'm from[02:17.29]I've noticed a pattern with men leaving their young[02:19.45]So the saying fits perfect, Like father, Like son[02:22.33]Cuz they weren't taught any better[02:24.46]But they learned how to measure, cuz they learned it in the hood[02:28.12]And it's all good cuz school is for the birds, so they get high off that herb[02:30.50]And hoped Ms. Clark grades with a curve[02:32.25]So they can be the first to pass and graduate,[02:35.05]But where I'm from they're always a tad to late[02:38.56]Where I'm from, if it ain't one thing it's another[02:42.43]My 13 yr old student got caught smoking weed with her brother[02:46.65]Come to find out she's pregnant and so is her mother[02:49.87]And what bothers is neither one knows who the father is[02:51.86]But around my way that's just the same story just a different day[02:56.26]So I'll tell you like tell my students, listen closely while I school you, don't let my shirt and tie fool you[03:04.38]Cuz I'm from where you're from, I've done what you've done, seen what you've seen[03:07.34]I was once in between a rock and hard place, just like you, yeah, my father left me too[03:15.91]I've seen my brother die, watched my mother cry and been too afraid to try[03:19.78]I've seen my grandmother slapped, uncles on crack, I've seen a mother beat up by her daughter[03:24.41]And some honest to God truth y'all, very long my great-great-grandfather was murdered over a quarter[03:31.84]And yes, and yes I received help from the state and damn what you say them food stamps were great[03:37.00]And Yes I've heated my house with the oven and drank Kool-Aid from a jelly jar and the city bus was once my car[03:41.81]I've faced my share of adversity and overcome it[03:44.17]They can't stop me, he can't stop me, you can't stop me I cant lose, cuz I choose not to.[03:50.02]If you need help I got you, We'll make it to the top together and then scream,[03:53.37]Where I'm from isn't as bad as people make it seem[03:56.52]They can take away your dollars but they can't take away your dreams[03:59.09]Remember, where you're from isn't as bad as people always make it seem