Anne Braden - Flobots

Song: Anne Braden

Band: Flobots

Album: Fight with Tools

Track: 10

Lyrics:
from the color of the faces in sunday's songs
to the hatred they raised all the youngsters on
once upon a time in this country long ago
she knew there was something wrong
because the song said yellow, red, black, and white
everyone precious in the path of christ
but what about the daughter of the woman cleaning their house
wasnt she a child they were singing about
and if Jesus loves us black or white skin
why didn't her white mother invite them in?
when did it become a room for no blacks to step in?
how did she already know not to ask the question
left lasting impressions
adolescence's comforts gone
she never thought things would ever change
but she always knew there was something wrong

she always knew there was something wrong

years later she found herself mississippi-bound
to help stop the legalized lynching
of mr. willie mcgee
but they couldnt stop it
so they thought that theyd talk to the governor
about what happened
and say were tired of being used
as an excuse to kill black men
but the cops wouldnt let em past and
these women they struck em as uppity
so they hauled em all off to jail
and they called it protective custody
then from her cell she heard her jailers
grumbling about outsiders
and when she called him out
and said she was from the south they shouted
why is a nice southern lady
making trouble for the governor?
she said, i guess I'm not your type of lady
and i guess I'm not your type of southerner.
but before you call me traitor
well its plainest just to say
i was a child in mississippi
but I'm ashamed of it today

imagine the world that youre standing within
all of your neighbors and family and friends
how would you cope
facing the fact
the flesh on your hand
was tainted with sin
she faced it every day
people she saw on a regular basis
people she loved in several cases
people she knew were incredibly racist
it was painful
but she never stopped loving them
never stopped calling their name
and she never stopped being a southern woman
and she never stopped calling for change
and she saw that her struggle
was in the tradition
of ancestors never aware of her
it continues today
the soul of a southerner
born of the other america

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Anne
• Braden
• Flobot
• Flobots
• Fight
• with
• Tools

[redrum187inc]

racism exsit becuse you let it. no your color dont matter so let it be. no need to express your voice on it. that just keeps the racism in affect

[GFXEFX]

Your all idiots, if people judge other by there skin, its their call. Preachin your humanitarian 'voodoo' is a waste of time as is this crap im typing. Its human nature to judge others and group up in comfortable surroundings. Just let it go, if it aint on your conscience dont waste your time failing to mold someone elses racist opinions.Personally I dislike black people, thats my view,I know Im wrong. I dont mean to offend, I wont treat them with any different. I just dont like them. Honestly.

[2000THEDEAD]

@CreepyBacon But am I.I live in a mansion in england.But I think we are all equal.I have money I have a life and standards.Just cuz we're rich we can't go around dissin off people below us.I'm not bad I don't let other people be treated like crap.

[CreepyBacon]

@2000THEDEAD Then please stop talking to me. You're below me. You're scum to me. You don't have the right or privledge to speak to me. I actually have money, i live in a decent area. I have standards. You disgust me.

[2000THEDEAD]

@CreepyBacon y don't u fuck off.your the one who is racist,not him.some of us live in ghettos,who gives a crap,nobody's better than anyone.we are equal.Listen to the flobot's more and u will understand

[14bari]

@sonoskay i love wat a new day and age can bring ur a smart person and for u to say srry is unnecessary

[CreepyBacon]

@bluinkangel ARE YOU AN ALIEN?!

[bluinkangel]

@CreepyBacon chingate. your crazy, pinche pendejo.

[CreepyBacon]

@bluinkangel I don't really live in the ghetto lol. God forbid. Who would drive my car for me and walk my dogs? Clean my home? I'd hate to have to do that for myself. I like being rich. Screw the ghetto horrible sewer rats am i right sista?

[bluinkangel]

@CreepyBacon no, i don't. but you don't know what it's like living out of it. and while it may not be as bad, i live in mexico right now, and it's got it's shit to it. ok? by the by i'm a girl!

[CreepyBacon]

@bluinkangel Yee i am bruvva. You don't know wat it's lyke livin in DA GHEETTOS

[bluinkangel]

@CreepyBacon you are obviously not a "coloured person"