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

Comments

[minoanmiss]

*hugs you*

That you're doing the work means a huge deal.

And you know the line, "even a dog can tell the difference between being kicked and being tripped over?" It's not that clueless hurtfulness is OK, but it's definitely and obviously different than deliberate viciousness.

I think this is a place where we can apply being auhtors and readers to our real life. Try to envision the other person's perspective for a moment, and that will go very, very far.

(Also, I fucking love this song, not least because I thought of specific people the first time I heard it and every time after.)

[wantedonvoyage]

That's been a learning curve for me as well... wondering what things were said, or assumptions were made with no mind to how it was received.

HCD prided himself on saying "I don't see color" which I have learned is patronizing (as well as a lie, usually) How nice for you that this isn't something you have to think about! I kind of wish someone in his life would call him out on it so I wouldn't have to.

[silveradept]

Making an effort is a lot more than a lot of people have done. And, while it sucks when it happens, the inevitability that there will be a screw-up and you'll get practice at apologizing, too, might be comforting or at least a useful way of trying to grapple with the fear. Going forth knowing you're doing your best and that there will be failure, and that there will be feelings associated with failure to work through is sometimes helpful for getting me going, because if messing it up is inevitable, then the last I can do is try to do good, and possibly even succeed at it, while I wait for failure to catch up to me.