Speedy Delivery: A Weekly Song Editorial
Racist Barber
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I've always had bad luck at the barbershop, but this week's visit managed to top all of the others. I felt like someone transported me back in time when I heard the barber suggest that her former students weren't as smart because they were black. Over the years, I've made a point of avoiding cuss words in my lyrics - somehow, there's always a better word choice than the clichéd expletive. However, the racist barber caught me by surprise (as all racists do these days), and the only word I could think of to describe her comment was "shit."
The Racist Barber
7/10/06
There is a racist barber right down in my neighborhood
I told her I was a teacher, she said she used to be one too
She quit after two years, said her students always slacked
She claimed they didn't get it because all of them were black
There is a racist barber right down in my neighborhood
I didn't know she felt this way till my haircut there was through
She was nice to me, we joked a lot, she said I was all right
Then she claimed I had it easy because my students all were white
There is a racist barber right down in my neighborhood
She whispered the word "black" just like all white people do
She hesitated for just a sec', but I guess since I was white
She spoke her racist comment like I'd think it was all right
There is a racist barber right down in my neighborhood
Folks don't talk to me that way, what made her think she could?
She didn't even know my name, but she thought she knew my mind
Did she think that I was racist just because my skin is white
There is a racist barber right down in my neighborhood
I bet she thinks she's not racist, but just misunderstood
And I'm not as mad at what she said or what she does believe
as I'm mad as hell that she thinks that she can say that shit to me!
There is a racist barber right down in my neighborhood
I won't be going back to get my hair cut there for good
I'd rather let my hair grow long or cut it off myself than
ever head inside that racist barbershop again
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Comments
I like that songitorial. Brings up a good point, and it has a nice tune. Keep up the good work. =)
posted by Rachel on August 23, 2006
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View All Songitorials
If there's anyone who could be called the "Woody Guthrie of Cincinnati," it's folksinger Jake Speed. Speed is again making moves that would do Woody proud. Speed's "songitorials" are weekly songs about current events. Think of it as a singing editorial with a healthy dose of wit and humanity. Each week, Speed will unveil a new song, dealing with different social issues of the day in much the way Guthrie's "Woody Sez" column once did.
by Mike Breen, Citybeat