When Will I Be Mine?

Little girls can't be girls when there's men outside
I remember the first time I was sexualized
I was 8 years old riding on my bike
And I was in a swimsuit 'cause it was hot outside
I thought when I grew up into my teenage years
I would have more luck I'd have nothing to fear
Till I was assaulted and frowned upon by my peers
I was faulted for the way I appeared
I'm not surprised

Men take what isn't there's but what pleases
Women, land, money, natives in the name of Jesus
I'm not surprised my rights were taken under the guise of a fetus
They want to protect the children but not when they actually need us
Not when they're gay, trans, homeless, poor, or when they disagree
Only when they're in the womb but not when they're out in the streets
Abortion is illegal for poor, women of color
But what would you do for your white, wealthy, mother?
Would you watch her bleed out on the table from an ectopic pregnancy?
Watch her give birth to a baby from a forced rapist's seed?
What about your little sister who has sex for the first time?
Aren't contraceptives the next thing you want to take from our rights?
So she gets pregnant at 15 changes her whole life
If she survives
But she never got the chance to decide
No I'm not surprised
My body?
It's never been mine
When will I be mine?
When will I be mine?
When will I be mine?
When will I be

I'm tired of the argument: Not all men
If it's not you, who is it then?
All the good men in my life fit on one hand
And for all you being quiet I wish you'd take a stand
'Cause its not all men, but it is all women
Since 1998 it's been about 18 million
And that's just rape
Not cat calling or hands that explore
Or those who were afraid to report

You think I'm only talking 'bout Brock Turner's in alleyways?
He got 6 months then got out in 3 months anyways
Not every malicious man only attacks in the dark
Most the time it's those you've known since you were in head start
It's all the boys that swore they were "joking with their friends"
But then grew up to view us as means to an end
It's a culture that runs deeper than we're willing to admit
It's the way girls are raised to obey and submit
It's our porn, movie, TV, songs, written in our history
Couldn't even have our own credit cards till 1970's
And look at us now changing the 14th amendment
Tryna pretend: Wow, it'll really make a positive difference!
But when we're born we're forced to look through other's eyes
How do I appear, speak, act, what is today's compromise?
I'm a whore or I'm a saint but both of those you despise
And then you want to bring a baby here and say: Surprise
Your body?
It's mine

When will I be mine?
When will I be mine?
When will I be mine?
When will I be
I spoke in a moment of frustration
But I stood in awe at all of your relation
I couldn't tell you how many times I read
When I was 8
When I was 4
When I was 10

I'm sorry you've been where I've been
And if I could be with you now I'd tell you it's okay
But with the way things are going I know we don't feel safe
So I ask you if you do relate
Scream it from the top of your lungs and don't hesitate
When will I be mine?
When will I be mine?
When will I mine?
When will I be
Mine