Gasping for air
Calling out his mama’s name
I can’t breathe
Final words, he said
Now we mourn
For a life that need not end
For a life that need not end
I can’t breathe
You’re taking my life away
I want to live
Stand proud for who I am
Feel the Pain
From lives being ignored
Fear and hate
Chokes our nation’s soul
Chokes our nation’s soul
Gasping for air
Calling out his full name
This tragic norm
Seems to always remain
Justice demands
America must do more
We all must do more
How does it end?
When no one can ever say
“I can’t breathe,” again
I can’t breathe
You’re taking my life away
I want to live
Stand proud for who I am
Feel the Pain
From lives being ignored
Fear and hate
Chokes our nation’s soul
Chokes our nation’s soul
Author’s note: Like many who have been affected by the killing of George Floyd, I wanted to be able to channel my anger and sadness into something.
I chose music and though I have never written a song that I felt comfortable sharing with others, I wanted to share this. It was inspired by a news report I heard on NPR about protesters chanting “I Can’t Breathe” for 1 minute. As the minute ended, they were running out of breath. This impacted me. I thought of George Floyd saying the words “I Can’t Breathe” and for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, another human being had their knee on his neck.
So I guess this is a protest song, but perhaps it speaks to a larger narrative in our country. Many times fear and hate have choked our nation — preventing many who are marginalized from breathing. Preventing them from attaining their unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Whether someone is a racial minority, an immigrant, an LGBTQ individual, or anyone who the greater society has “choked” because of a lack of love and respect; this song is for you too.
The truth is, none of us can really breathe if we all can’t breathe.
I previously published this in the Medium Publication - Weeds & Wildflowers