Once in South Africa at a family braai
This drunk white guy tried to identify
Assuming as a southern boy I’d agree
He uttered something about a lynching tree
Then one time on the Northern California coast
This white guy from Georgia started to boast
‘Bout black folks being fewer and more civilized here
At which point, I felt like throwing my beer.
What’s it about white guys that drive them to say
Things to other white guys without any delay?
Things that are racist and sexist and straight
Certain that white guys won’t offer debate
I’ve made up my mind to not let it slide
To not collaborate and to not deride
It’s not what’s expected or encouraged at all
But there’s more meaning and complexity beneath my drawl
I read in the paper almost every week
That another white guy claims his future is bleak
With affirmative action and feminists around
And immigrants and terrorists no jobs can be found
Hell, you’d think that white guys are under attack
That they’re losing everything, and they want it back
Yet unearned privilege leads them to think
They haven’t benefitted from the nudge and the wink
What’s it about white guys that drive them to say
Things to anybody without any delay?
Things that are racist and sexist and straight
Certain that nobody will offer debate
Let’s make it a pact to not let it slide
To not collaborate and to not deride
It’s not what’s expected or encouraged at all
‘Cause white guys gotta learn about living from y’all
I’m so tired of that white guy that always complains
That just doesn’t get it and constantly feigns
That makes overtures to get me to join
Then wants to stop talking before we get going
Now I’m not saying I’m the enlightened one
I’m a white guy that’s trying and will never be done
I still do things and say things inexcusably wrong
While I’m working for a world where we all belong
What’s it about white guys that drive us to say
Things to other white guys without any delay?
Things that are racist and sexist and straight
Certain that white guys won’t offer debate
I’ve made up my mind to not let it slide
To not collaborate and to not deride
It’s not what’s expected or encouraged at all
But there’s more meaning and complexity beneath my drawl
What’s it about white guys that drive them to say
Things to anybody without any delay?
Things that are racist and sexist and straight
Certain that nobody will offer debate
Let’s make it a pact to not let it slide
To not collaborate and to not deride
It’s not what’s expected or encouraged at all
‘Cause white guys gotta learn about living from y’all
Scott Schonfeldt-Aultman
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vhines200 on Flickr with CC 2.0 license
