I grew up in the suburbs

Always being told that I was different

I grew up in the suburbs

Always being told ways to change

I grew up in the suburbs

Always being look down on

I grew up in the suburbs thinking, am I different?

I am. I am unique. I am a black male.

I am a person that will change the world with my vision.

I am an ever burning flame that will refuse defuse.

I am a leader in my community teaching the young what I know.

I am a man that won’t give in to the stereotypic flow.

I grew up in the suburbs

Always being told what I could not do

I grew up in the suburbs

Always being told what I had to be

I grew up in the suburbs

Feeling like the stone the builder refused

But you know what the suburbs taught me?

I… am me.