From the recording Peace, Love & Funkiness
Inspired by the fact that when I had long dreadlocks I was constantly asked if a) I sold drugs or b) I was the "Poet, writer, lyricist, musician and naughty boy" Benjamin Zephaniah.
Lyrics
Does my skin mean that I’m going to rob you?
Does my hair mean that I’m gonna sell drugs to you?
What do you fear when I appear? [do you fear]
And who has told you what about me to scare you?
Does my tongue mean that I don’t understand you?
Does my faith mean that I’m going to bomb you?
Does it make sense that you get so tense? [so tense]
Does everybody with a tan support the people with a plan to harm you?
I don’t believe in violence I’m a peaceful man
Just another human living life the best that I can
You say you’re being cautious but me don’t give a damn
Don’t judge me as someone your fear tells you I am
Eeyo-oh-oh-oh-oh
We fight the prejudice in human kind
Eeyo-oh-oh-oh-oh
Are you programmed or are you colour blind?
Do my clothes or my style mean I aint gonna respect ya?
Or does my name mean that I’m Al-Qaeda?
You wonder why it makes me cry
And still I try to calm you
When you see me approaching do you really see me?
They say that the bad guys could be anybody
But because of how I look a suspect I could be
Is this the way to live in harmony?
CHORUS
INTRO
Is it real the government’s war on terror?
How do you feel when people get shot in error?
The press declare they’re everywhere
This racist propaganda the media sell ya.
Negative imAges on television
CreAting rumours causing chain reaction
NeighBour against neighbour causing racial tension.
and Then distrust becomes an institution
So I Call Mr Policeman and him really don’t care
Then I call in the council and them really don’t care
I call up the government – they really don’t care
I call the Prime Minister – him REALLY don’t care