[ VERSE 1: The E ] As I sit back and think about our problems What's goin on and how we gonna solve em Black man sellin us out to the other color But try to keep it undercover I understand all that cause it's a money thing But if that's the case, then let money bring Peace and joy to the ones that need a new start And let the greed depart When I ask how you're livin you shout it out Now it's time to get together and talk about It doesn't matter about your color, let's take a stand Comin out the mouth of a black man You say we should unite and be as one And then you see me on the rise and grab a shotgun A lotta nerve you show as you stand stiff But my knowledge is the gift [ VERSE 2: The E ] I bring a lotta thought to what's happenin The new jack swing's in effect and I'm rappin I wanna talk to your eardrums straight up And give your mind a little time to wake up Who says we have to be the lesser one? Put your best foot forward and be the better one Open up your eyes to a new sight And if you do it for yourself you know it's done right If you're black, yo, they figure you want a hand-out Then they question your mind because you stand out If you speak for your piece then you're militant That's the way that we're taught by our government I don't wanna hear that, save it for the next man I got a mind of my own and I don't give a damn Yo, a lotta nerve you show as you stand stiff But my knowledge is the gift [ VERSE 3: The E ] Now it's time to decide how we wanna live If we all stand together something's gotta give A lotta times we're the reason for the negative thoughts They come across, so the battle's lost Put your pride in your pocket if you're selfish My temperature's runnin hot so I'ma melt this When I say down with Jack I mean Ant Jack Some brothers say I ain't down because I know jack Knowledge is the gift that I'm teachin And the highest plateau's where I'm reachin Forget the stereotype and world hype That says you have to be white in order to do right Why don't we all just unite and take a stand? Comin out the mouth of a black man A lotta nerve you show as you stand stiff But my knowledge is the gift