30(ish) Days of Music Meme: Day 20

[tjs_whatnot]

Here is my attempt to be here for 30 days straight telling stories and sharing music. HAHAHA, yeah right. Like I can commit to do anything for 30 days in a row.

Day Twenty: A Song that has Many Meanings to Me
They Might be Giants “Your Racist Friend”

Watch on YouTube

Okay, again with the cheating. It's just that I've been racking my brain for a song for this day-- I have songs for all the rest and an itch to finish this thing already-- and all the while, this song's playing in the back of my mind. I think the first time I heard it was, in fact, on this show I linked. I was OBSESSED with David Letterman.

So, this song. I guess it actually does have multiple meanings to me these days as I try and expand all I know and reckon with all I’ve thought about myself and the world I live in. I used to think this was a witty song about other people and the people in their lives they let slide about racism. And I used to think it never applied to me because I try really hard not to have racist friends. BUT, I’ve been doing a lot of reading, A LOT of listening and a lot of contemplating and it’s been eye-opening and soul crushing and a little bit overwhelming. And I know what BIPOC’s are saying while reading this; ‘Welcome to my life.’

I used to think that being not racist was the same thing as being anti-racist. Oh, you sweet, stupid, Summer Child. Turns out being Not Racist is the bare-fucking minimum that is expected of you if you want to live in society. And that being Anti-Racist is a lot of work. I’m doing the work. But, constantly fear that I’m not doing enough--I’m not--and more importantly for me, TERRIFIED of saying--or thinking--the wrong thing due to ignorance or conflicting instructions.

But, more on that later, for now, let’s reflect on a simpler time where ignorance was truly bliss and no one was racist, but we all had that one racist friend.


♥ ♥


Day One: Tangled Up in Blue
Day Two: Seven Nation Army
Day Three: Against All Odds
Day Four: D’yer Mak’er
Day Five: I’m Not Okay (I Promise)
Day Six: Handclap
Day Seven:To Make You Feel My Love
Day Eight: Silent Lucidity
Day Nine: You’re Welcome
Day Ten: Fire and Rain
Day Eleven: Welcome to the Black Parade
Day Twelve: Hard to Say I’m Sorry
Day Thirteen: Delta Dawn
Day Fourteen: When You Say Nothing at All
Day Fifteen: Masters of War
Day Sixteen: Kiss Off
Day Seventeen: Mahna Mahna
Day Eighteen: Me and Bobby McGee
Day Nineteen: Hunger Strike