2. DOWNTOWN FERGUSON

Downtown Ferguson
(Spoken words from the writings of Mahatma Gandhi)

My name is Michael and he shot me dead
Twelve bullets in all and one to the head
With his badge and his cruiser he was just a scared kid
Told me get off the street, was that all that I did . . .

Downtown Ferguson is filled with the rage
Of my sisters and brothers, the buildings in flames
They just can’t believe this killing is still going on
Fear shot from a gun . . .

Officer Wilson had this look on his face
And a police-issued special on a very hot day
Does he believe what he saw, does he believe what he says?
Thinks he’s got no choice, he’s in way over his head

Your beliefs become your thoughts, your thoughts become your words
Your words become your actions, your actions become your habits
Your habits become your values, your values become your destiny
When I despair I remember that all through history the way of truth and love
have always won
There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they can seem invincible
But in the end they always fall

I was 18 years old it was just past noon
Me and my friend Dorian we were acting like fools
I know that I’m big, big for my age
But that ain’t no reason for a cop to go crazy
No that ain’t no reason for a man to go crazy

Downtown Ferguson is flooded with tears
My mother and father and the disappeared
They’re angry this hatred is still going on
Fear shot from a gun . . .

My name is Michael and he shot me down
Twelve bullets in all and I hit the ground
He says I got mad when he shot me, hell yeah
Hey what would you do if they were shootin’ at you?
Well what would you do if they were shootin’ at you?
What would you do? What would you do?
What would you do? What would you do?

Downtown Ferguson is filled with the rage
Of my sisters and brothers, the buildings in flames, the buildings in flames
What will you do? What will you do? What will you do?

Shot from a gun, shot from a gun . . . Fear shot from a gun . . .