Recognize

In the basement of my mind
I’m struggling to find
a way to speak the words that
Burned a whole into my conscience

The burden of sight
A vision for right
when wrong is so accepted
Justice finds his home in prison

Recognize, recognize
The face of God in slanted eyes
Darker skin and foreign smiles

Recognize, recognize
The value of a human life
Is priceless even when it’s not white

A sacrifice of lies
Vanity disguised
In acts of charity
Comfortable generosity

An excuse for light
It’s easy to hide
Behind familial duty
Self-preservation becomes priority

Recognize, recognize
The face of God in slanted eyes
Darker skin and foreign smiles

Recognize, recognize
The value of a human life
Is priceless even when it’s not white

What you do to the least of these
Is what you do to me
What you do to me
Feeding the hungry
Quenching the thirsty
It’s what you do to me
Clothing the naked
Caring for the diseased
It’s what you do to me
Educating the poor man
Raising the orphan
It’s what you do to me

Your attendance twice a week
Your tithes and your offerings
Is vanity – not for me!

The worship you’re leading
The sermons you’re preaching
Is just noise to me
You can keep your CD’s

The building you’re making
The money you’re saving
In my name, causes me so much shame

None of it matters
It just doesn’t matter
If my oppressed people starve and die
I’m the bread of life!

Recognize, recognize
The face of God in slanted eyes
Darker skin and foreign smiles

Recognize, recognize
The value of a human life
Is priceless even when it’s not white