RA-RE
VALVERDE
ORIGINAL SONG
SAFE WHERE?
While I lay there left to die
You’re concerned for yourself - and your consequences
Knowing your badge gives you claim
To blame fear as the reason, you get away
In your mind my skin gives you cause to take aim
And I’m afraid
When you shoot to kill
Now the space where I lay
Is the very same home
You turn into my grave
I’m the one - should be afraid
Safe where - safe where?
When for you fear is justified
Safe where - safe where?
Enough for you to take my life
Blood on your hands the color of blue and red
Kill me no time to utter in my defense
where am I safe?
Your privilege disturbs my peace
Violates my freedoms constantly
In my world, a harsh reality
Yet, the one safe haven where I roam free
Is betrayed - my home - where my space you invade
Intruder of my body and my sanctuary
Instead of de-escalating - corruption holds its place
When you shoot to kill
Now the space where I lay
Is the very same home
You turn into my grave
I’m the one - should be afraid
Safe where - safe where?
When for you fear is justified
Safe where - safe where?
Enough for you to take my life
Blood on your hands the color of blue and red
Kill me no time to utter in my defense
where am I safe?
In the comfort of my home
You take my life with no restraint
So quick to claim as fear or a mistake
Just to clear your name
Lacking responsibility, empathy, accountability
When you walk free while our bodies fall to the ground
All systems must be torn down
Safe where - safe where?
When for you fear is justified
Safe where - safe where?
Enough for you to take my life
Blood on your hands the color of blue and red
Kill me no time to utter in my defense
Where am I safe?
No shield
No badge
No ties - disarm you from blame
It’s black genocide when you shoot to kill
Time and time again
This song was written to honor
The life of Mr. Kenneth Chamberlain Sr.
More so a call to action to hold accountable the
Officer that took his life and is walking free
Remember his name:
Anthony Carelli
Case Overview
Kenneth Chamberlain Sr., a 68-year-old Marine Corps veteran with a heart condition, accidentally pressed the button on his medical alert system, Life Aid, while sleeping. Responding to the alert, officers banged on his door, asking to be let inside to confirm he did not need assistance. It was 5:22 a.m. Mr. Chamberlain repeatedly told the police he did not need assistance and he had not called them. He refused to let the police in. A White Plains Police Department dispatcher informed Life Aid that the officers needed to enter the apartment to make sure Mr. Chamberlain was not in distress. Ninety minutes later Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. was dead inside his own home, assaulted first by taser and two shots from a beanbag shotgun before being shot twice in the chest with live ammunition by Officer Anthony Carelli.
The Artist
Ra-Re Valverde is a singer, songwriter, producer, and visual artist from New York City. Her professional credits include touring worldwide and working as a supporting vocalist for noteworthy artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Lalah Hathaway, and Rahsaan Patterson, among others.
Production Credits
Written by: RA-RE VALVERDE
Produced by: RA-RE VALVERDE + AMA IZIIAN
Mixed by: IRKO at STUDIOBEAT3