Benefit of the Doubt Lyrics

Moved to a new school when I was 8

Boys called me four eyes pulled out my braids

But it wasn't long before we'd all hangout

I always got the benefit of the doubt

Only 5 girls in that 3rd grade class

The boys had a favorite they liked to harass

Mixed in with pale kids her dark skin stood out

Charity never got the benefit of the doubt

Silently, I would watch, the torment begin

Pick at her hair, point at her hips

Told the lies the lies the lies the lies

That it wasn't about the color of her skin

5th grade Carolyn called me a cheat

For looking at answers under my feet

I stood up straight and lied with a shout

I always got the benefit of the doubt

Another day another test eyes peeking around

Somebody's cheat sheet fell to the ground

Kids pointed their fingers, the teacher screamed out

Charity never got the benefit of the doubt

Silently, I would watch, the torment begin

Pick at her clothes, point at her lips

Told the lies the lies the lies the lies

That it wasn't about the color of her skin

We were kids in the 80's

With Pop tarts and The A team

Freedom was wind on a bike

We were told to be colorblind

Because we'd left behind

All that history of black and white

Even though the wars on drugs

And welfare and thugs

Played on the news every night

Trinity left in 8th grade, she's pregnant we joked

Thoughtless cruelty haunts me like a ghost

If only I'd seen as child what I see now

To break these chains, I proceed without

The benefit

Oh the benefit of the doubt

Oooo