Please excuse my blackness, I was born this way.
My hair naturally curls, and the bass in my voice ain’t going away.
Please excuse my blackness, I just want to buy a cigar.
I’m not trying to steal anything, you are taking this too far.
Please excuse my blackness, I’m just walking home with Skittles and a tea.
You are not the law, so keep your hands off of me.
Please excuse my blackness, I’m just selling loose cigarettes.
I told you I can’t breath but you haven’t loosened your grip yet.
Please excuse my blackness, it’s just a damn traffic stop.
I didn’t commit suicide in my cell, I was hanged by a cop.
Please excuse my blackness, it’s just a toy gun.
We are in a department store, and I’m just having a little fun.
Please excuse my blackness, I’m just eating ice cream in my own house.
You got off on the wrong floor? And now I’m dead, on my couch.
Please excuse my blackness, I’m just out for a jog in my neighborhood.
You chased me down with guns and someone recording, but you didn’t wear your hood. Please excuse my blackness, I know I was driving too fast that’s true.
But you didn’t have to shoot me, the tasing will do.
Please excuse their blackness, they didn’t have to die.
They’ll never go home again,
Their loved ones are left to cry.
Please excuse our blackness, we are Americans just like you.
We don’t mean any harm, but it seems you do.

Torrey Brown is a loving husband, father, and son, and also an outspoken champion for the black cause and all social injustices.