Rearview Redemption

For twenty years, I've walked into the fire.

I've held the

hands of women who had lost their desire.

I've seen the little boy sleeping in the car

seat.

I've seen the mother working

double shifts, trying to make

ends meet.

But this... this is the story of

the

ones who made it out.

And the ones who are still waiting for their way out

Peace isn't just a feeling.

It's a choice. And today,

we're choosing to look forward.

Yeah... alarm goes off but it's a car seat recline,

He adjusts his backpack,

trying to block out the sign Of the cold wind hitting on

the window glass, Brushing his teeth in a rest stop,

getting ready for class.

He walks through the hallway,

stomach rumbling tight, Pretending everything is fine,

keeping his head in the light.

The kids in the back row

whisper and jeer, They point at his worn-out shoes,

trying to feed on his fear.

But he don't look back,

no, he doesn't react,

He's got his eyes on the board,

and that's a matter of fact.

He locks the bullying out,

puts his mind to the test,

A straight-A student rising way above all the rest.

While his young mom is working,

pulling double shift hours,

He sits outside on the curb,

testing his own inner powers.

Waiting hours in the cold,

but he never complains,

He takes the hit,

breaks the cycle, and he channels the pain.

He chose a different path,

yeah, he's holding the line,

A Non-Violent-Person, watch his future shine.

(ooh) I pledge to be nonviolent,

Respect my body and protect the earth.

No matter where I sleep,

no matter where I stand,

I am NVP,

always carrying peace in my heart.

Yeah, I am NVP...

always carrying peace in my heart. (yeah)

Now fast forward the clock,

look at the man in the room,

See a seed that was planted finally coming to bloom.

No longer freezing on the curb waiting for his mother,

He's a financial advisor,

helping people reach for the stars!

Working high at the bank,

breaking poverty's cage, A living legend rewriting the very front of the

page. And he remembers the day a quiet package arrived,

The secret jacket and shoes that helped his spirit survive.

Delivered low by a teacher on the foundation's behalf,

Restoring his dignity, lighting a brand new path.

He looks down at his wrist,

snaps the camo band tight,

A Non-Violent Person who made it out of the night.

He's got the wealth in his hands,

but keeps the peace in his soul,

BFF America, yeah, we're making them whole!

I pledge to be nonviolent in all I do!

Respect my body and protect the earth too!

No matter where I sleep,

no matter where I stand,

I am NVP,

carrying peace across the land!

Yeah...

now look at the rearview,

see a cycle that traps,

A brilliant woman constantly falling right through the cracks.

Meeting the same bad crowd,

walking the same old floor,

Stuck in a loophole,

running right back to the door.

She reached out her hand,

said "VL, I need a way out," So I sat her straight

down and cleared out the doubt.

No sugarcoating the truth,

yeah, I used a tough word,

Had to shake up her spirit to make sure she heard.

I said, "Look at your worth,

break the chains of the past,

You're a champion, sister,

make this change finally last!" And she listened...

she stood up... she stepped into the light,

Breaking the standard, taking control of her night.

And that's why we need a haven,

a place they can park,

A secure zone with showers when it's cold in the dark.

A safe space for the mothers sleeping tight in the car,

BFF America...

yeah, we're raising the bar!

To the woman who hasn't smiled in years,

To the mother who swallowed all her tears,

To the daughter who was told she was nothing,

To the survivor who is tired of running...

Sit down in this chair.

Let us transform your hair.

Let us paint your

face.