What We Gotta Do To Make It Out?

what we gotta do to make it out?
a four year college filling loan papers out
a mean crossover or the wide receiver route
keep fiends outta rehab, stay supplied in the drought
choices are few, youth mentality is swayed
so easy to fall victim to a system tailored made
 amerikkkan dream is airbrushed, pitching perfect portrays
got us all in a race, we chasing better days
but we’re stuck in a maze, guinea pigs on a wheel
running in circles, getting served a raw deal
no appeal, government ain’t concerned how we feel
social injustices are run of the mill
still we got to get through
and make moves leaving nothing to chance
show and prove how we do, you know we gotta advance 
to each his due season, unwavering faith has no doubt
but all this waiting has me wondering...
 
what we gotta do to make it out?
 
my impatience for patience made me persistent prisoner
locked in solitude, me, i get no frequent visitors
had to break free like convicts turned ministers
if past predicts future, forever labeled sinister
hard lessons of life get you off the right track
and you gotta double up to get what you had back
my shit is intact, this all fact, this ain’t an act
it’s how i react to all the chat, damn, why the attacks?
it’s hard enough trying to make it through the day
hypocritical judges talking all that naysay
half a penny for your thoughts, be the fuck up on your way
still my virtue shines through
“and have a nice day…”
and everyday i’m fighting life’s championship bout
it’s a battle to the finish, end it with a knockout
plant seeds, in due time your harvest will sprout
my dreams stout, i got clout, tell me...
 
what we gotta do to make it out?
 
which would you prefer, sir, the pretty lie or ugly truth?
is it hard to face the facts when you’re staring at the proof?
picture me position you in a place with no power
held captive, bought and sold, the property of a coward
hard living, hard labor from easy catch, easy prey
we regress to progress, got to find another way
ahead we got to stay, priority obligation
it’s the only way to achieve the dreams of a nation
can amerikkka be a country fully united?
history, you can’t rewrite it, omit it, or try to hide it
stakes high in the states, racial tension keeps us divided
young, black, gifted and woman, the basis of what my plight is
and you ask what my height is? i’m high…
sky is the limit, but you try to prevent it
got the food chain bent with it, now i’m swimming with the trout
the world’s ills make me wanna scream and shout, damn
 
what we gotta do to make it out?