Disparity By Design

All the way at the bottom of the barrels, we cry out

So ashamed of our tears that we blame only ourselves

That's when they win, they keep us convinced

To lift up our chins, these playing fields are level

We all have a chance, with that they dismiss

The fast lanes they rode

On which access depends on who you know

Or where you came from

Whose daughter are you?

Whose fortunate son?

We're told to stick out our thumbs

They feast from the linens while we settle for crumbs

Is this an over-reaching arm

Or is this compassion?

Is this a handout undeserved

Or a just reparation?

(Or just reparation)

All the way from the towers, high above glass ceiling tombs

Tell themselves that they've earned this

By working hard and playing by the rules

But this is only part true

A dangerous trick played on me and you

And so, like a practical joke

We've pulled on these bootstraps so hard that they broke

Is this an over-reaching arm

Or is this compassion?

Is this a handout undeserved

Or a just reparation?

And like a single domino

That falls while the rest stay vertical

We're fed these empty fairytales

But will you believe them?

And if there's a God, you better pray

That this sleeping giant never wakes

But if we just took a step back

A bigger picture we might view

Perhaps a man in the gutter

Is not so different from you

Come in, out of the cold

Forget all that you know

Because there's always been room

By the fire for you, oh

Come in, out of the cold

Will you believe them?

Is this an over-reaching arm

Or is this compassion?

Is this a handout undeserved

Or a just reparation?

And like a single domino

That falls while the rest stay vertical