Just because I wear a hoodie
Doesn't mean I carry a knife,
Just because I'm sixteen
Doesn't mean I want to take away a life
Or make people scream.
The expression you need for young people
Is “don't judge a book by its cover”
That applies to so many of us
More than any other.
Reputation sticks like glue
When you see rough press on youngsters like me,
Whenever you clap eyes on thee
You automatically think that all the bad things are true.
Just because I go round with my mates
Doesn't mean we're in a gang,
Just because we're sometimes out after late,
Doesn't mean we've got illegal things that go bang.
Just because I shop on the streets
Doesn't mean I want to beat the crap out of everyone I meet,
Just because I'm in the dark
Doesn't mean I want to creep up on you
And give you a start.
Just because I laugh and joke,
Doesn't mean I drink or smoke,
Just because I'm having a good time
Doesn't mean I do drugs or go out to commit crimes.
Just because we like to look cool
Doesn't mean we skip school,
Just because I dye my hair
Doesn't mean that I scare or swear,
Just because I'm my own person
Doesn't mean I cause vandalism
Or have been in prison.
Just because I'm in a mood
Doesn't mean I've got a mean attitude,
Just because some of us are misunderstood
Doesn't mean that the rest of us aren't fine and good,
Just because some of us don't care about others
Doesn't mean we're all like that
We actually are kind
Not crazy and demented
No better than a rat.
We're not all hooligans,
Unruly lunatics
We don't all carry guns
And break windows with bricks.
Some of us are actually OK
Ordinary children who just want to have their say,
But because of how we look
Means you don't want to know,
You should think of the saying about the book
And not tell us to go.
Try and think about what's underneath
Have a little faith,
Have some more belief.
So next time you see a teenager,
Don't run and hide,
Don't feel scared or apprehensive
Instead smile and look us in the eyes.
Next time you see us
Don't immediately think the worse,
Don't judge us on our clothes,
Or whatever else shows,
Try and take a good look,
Don't see a young delinquent, please,
And instead see
Just a normal person,
A person just like me.