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

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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.

@rv_clitterbeastculture

Production Credits

Written by: RA-RE VALVERDE

Produced by: RA-RE VALVERDE + AMA IZIIAN

Mixed by: IRKO at STUDIOBEAT3