The System & ReUp

– Poems by Sheldon Hall & Art by DECA – 

 

THE SYSTEM

 

BLACK AND BROWN FACES OF ALL AGES

FIGHTING CASES ON A CONTINUAL BASIS

NO DISRUPTION OF THE HOMEOSTASIS

THE SYSTEM, THE SYSTEM, THE SYSTEM, THE SYSTEM

ALL THIS RECIDIVISM

I KNOW WE HAVE THE WISDOM BUT ARE WE DOING THE KNOWLEDGE

THE JURY IS CONSTRUCTED WITH YOUR PEERS DEDUCTED

MAYBE 1 OR 2 THAT’S LOOKING LIKE YOU

JUDGE WHITE, DA WHITE, ADA WHITE, C.O. WHITE, P.O. WHITE

EVEN THE DAYUM NIGHT LOOKING WHITE WHAT A PLIGHT

WOMB TO THE TOMB OR CRADLE TO THE GRAVE 

SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE

SLIPPING, SLIPPING, SLIPPING AWAY IS TIME

ITS EVEN GIVEN FOR A CRIME

UNDER THIS SYSTEM EVERYONE IS FAIR GAME

MAN, WOMAN, CHILD

KNOWLEDGEABLE, IGNORANT, GOOD OR VILE

ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN OR

THE INSIDE LOOKING OUT

THIS SYSTEM IS DEVOUT WITH ALL ITS POWER AND CLOUT

INCARCERATE AT A DISPROPORTIONATE RATE

WE HAVE TO OBLITERATE BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE

WHAT ACTIONS DO WE TAKE

SAME SAY HAVE FATE

BUT I KNOW IT’S TOO LATE

CROOKED MUTHAFUCKAS ON THE TAKE

LORD!!!! GIMME A BREAK

 

 

REUP

 

REWRITE        REDO        REJUJE        REJIGGA

RESPOND        REACT        RETHINK        REFIGURE

 

REPLAY        REMIX        RESTACK        RETAKE

RECOVER        RECRUIT        REROUTE        REMAKE

 

RELAX        RELAY        REPLENISH        RETIRE

REGROUP        REVISIT        REBOUND        REWIRE

 

RESIST        RESHAPE        RECREATE        RECOMPUTE

RECOIL        RECLAIM        RECOUNT        REBOOT

 

REALIZE        REEXAM        REACCESS        REVOKE

REBRAND        REREAD        REBUFF        REVOLT

 

REACCLIMATE        REACQUAINT        REFLUX        RECANT

REKINDLE        REAFFIRM        REALIGN        REVAMP

 

RECESSION        REEVALUATE        REMORSE        REVITALIZE

REASSEMBLE        REBUKE        RETAIN        REVISE

 

***

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Sheldon Hall aka Shellz is a native New Yorker, hailing from the BeeX/Uptown, and a thorough representative of NYC—a person in the know, a mover and shaker—loving all things, supporting the truth and having a yearn to learn, erudite with a passion for justice, truth, and the eradication of bullshit.

 

 

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DECA is a NY based rapper, producer, and visual artist. Blending personal writing with urgent global themes, he has gained a reputation for his vivid imagery, hypnotic production, and an ability to give voice to our fundamental struggles with human existence. Originally from Denver, CO, DECA came up as part of LIFE Crew; a collective of rappers, graffiti writers and DJs that were seminal in helping to shape the local scene in Denver throughout the 2000’s. He spent time in LA before settling in NYC where he released his first fully self produced album The Veil in 2011. He has since released six albums including 2013’s The Ocean, hailed by many as an underground classic. Follow him on Instagram @DecaMusic.