Gray Nation

I'm just another statistic
Another "plus one" on no one's guest list

I'm just another number
And the numbers have long been too large

I'm just another face of the wrong color
Another perceived threat
But perception is not always reality
And speaking of reality:

I'm just another martyr
For their grand crusade for justice
But justice will always be elusive
In an unjust world

I'm just another poster boy for their fashionable cause
Just another name to emblazon their protest signs
Just another hashtag trending in their feeds
But they never even knew me

I'm just another headline
Front page
Cover story
Top story
Big story
What's my story?
Depends on who's telling.

And everybody else is an expert.
Everybody else claims to know the truth.
But the truth is the agendas of the activists on one side
The truth is the agendas of the pundits on the other
The truth is the agendas of the ones we armed and charged with serving and protecting
The truth is the agendas of the ones who represent them
The truth is the agendas of the politicians
The truth is the agendas of the infotainment media
The truth is the agendas of the armchair commentators

What is my agenda?

I'm just another name on a gravestone
Loved by some in life
Instant celebrity in death

And they say my life matters.