Where are you from?

“No, but where are you from originally” 
I don’t mind if you ask “Where are you from?”
But I’m offended when you follow it up
Because my answer is always Oakland
And that should be enough

I don’t have a country
I have a city
Oakland
Smokin’
You feel me?

I’m not lost
I’m not confused
I know what you mean
And I know your view

I’m too brown to to be “American”
My hair is curly, can’t be “American”
Hablo Español, can’t be “American”
Sanchez is not “American”
Born in the USA but I’m not “American”

They make us hyphen it up
I’m not talking about the hyphy movement
Like my last name
But that’s done out of pride

But Teddy hated when they did it
He said there was no room for them
And yet they still make us do it
Because they want us to know

I know what you mean
And I know your view
I’m not American
But neither are you.