I'm a Carabao Kid

by J.O.A.L. (Jumping Off Analytical Lyricism)

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about

One of the most scariest things we ever did as new parents was entrust our 6 month old daughter with adults outside of us. We were certain it was "not a control thing" but rather a very legitimate fear, given how young, vulnerable and delicate Kai was at that age. It would have to take a great deal of convincing for us to allow someone to take care of our infant daughter.

A year prior to Kai being born, a dear friend of ours, Connie, had ambitious plans to open up a daycare -- fueled with her background in early childhood development and preschool experience -- Connie was determined to make this dream a reality. We were blessed to know Connie first through our years in community organizing work, in which she vested her time in youth organizing in the Excelsior district of San Francisco.

Call it serendipity, fate or whatever, but it was almost perfect to hear that Carabao Kids was opening up around the same time that we needed childcare for our daughter Kailea. Connie was just starting off and we were in dire need to connect with a daycare we trusted. The attention and care she put into organizing manifested in her care for the kids and families she served. Connie took in Kai periodically when she was only 6 months old, and more regularly when she was 9 months old. She has become the most perfect mentor for Kai and now Kai goes off into daycare with such a thirst of knowledge and exploration courtesy of Connie.

As Kai has now turned 3 so has Carabao Kids...Kai is the longest tenured kid there. This tells you something about how much this daycare means to us.

A card would've been nice, but being that I'm a rapper, I found this more suiting. This song was written in my car one day and was later performed at the 3 year Carabao Kids anniversary.

J.O.A.L.

lyrics

Yo, I don’t wanna grow up
I’m a Carabao Kid
Where Imagination is life
As young creatives

We talk what we feel
And we build what we see
In this crazy ol world
We need community

Yo, I don’t wanna grow up
I’m a Carabao Kid
Where we push social justice
For all of us to live

For all of us to thrive
Where we treat people fairly
Where we all get a piece
Now clap if y’all hear me

Verse One:

In this place on the Canyon
That’s Canyon Drive that is
Is a place we call home
Where we learn how to live

Sure we butt heads,
Sometimes on a daily
But we gotta talk it out
Or else we’ll go crazy

And Connie’s guides us
Through the talking of our feelings
Where we learn to compromise
And we practice on our speaking

To troubleshoot issues
It’s that life skill too
If you be kind to me
Then I’ll be kind to you,

Yes that kinda stuff,
while we learning all our colors
Plus we people of color
And we love one another

Whether sister or a brother
Or someone in between
There’s a place for you here
And this is our theme

If you yadda I mean
Then we’re cool with no doubts
But if not,
Then we’ll talk to figure it out

I love using puppets
To discuss our emotions
Sometimes they’re real strong
That it causes commotions

But it all temporary
So we focus on our body
And we all kind inside
Like our papas and our mommies

Like Lolas and Lolos
Our Tia’s and Popos
Like Auntie and Mommy
For Babies and Grown Folks

Its a homegrown ethic
Where we learn life lessons
Where kids aren’t afraid
To raise up those questions

We think of ideas
And we learn by doing
If we wanna go to a place
Connie takes us on the MUNI

Hook:

Yo, I don’t wanna grow up
I’m a Carabao Kid
Where Imagination is life
As young creatives

We talk what we feel
And we build what we see
In this crazy ol world
We need community

Yo, I don’t wanna grow up
I’m a Carabao Kid
Where we push social justice
For all of us to live

For all of us to thrive
Where we treat people fairly
Where we all get a piece
Now clap if y’all hear me