Standing Tall
Javin Montgomery-DeLaurier
I hate it.
I hate it.
That when I walk by
People don’t know that I saw the look in their eye
Full of contempt, with a dash of awe
While they write me off
As just another nigga with a ball
What they don’t know, is that’s just a part of me
But they assume that’s all I’ll ever be
Because when I jump it looks like I fly
But I fly in other ways too, and I fly high
But I am still, just another nigga with a ball
My mom always said be proud and stand tall
And mama I try
While I’m here
flying high in the sky
She said never let them know that it bothers you son
Because if you show weakness then in the end they’ve won.
So you just have to carry on
To make it, my child you have to be strong
You know the difference between right and wrong,
Don’t let their ignorance taint you
Be great, don’t settle for good
And always strive for excellence
There will be people who will never see
Who you are, my son
And who you can be
No matter what you do
I promise that, unfortunately this will hold true
But remember my son
be proud and stand tall
Because you are SO MUCH more than just another nigga with a ball
* Photograph: Johnny Wood