LL Cool J and Brad Paisley just released a song called “Accidental Racist”. First off I want to say that I’m proud of LL Cool J and Brad Paisley for taking the risk of making this song together.
In the song Brad Paisley says, “I’m just a white man comin’ to you from the southland, Tryin’ to understand what it’s like not to be, I’m proud of where I’m from but not everything we’ve done, And it ain’t like you and me can re-write history, Our generation didn’t start this nation, We’re still pickin’ up the pieces, walkin’ on eggshells, fightin’ over yesterday, And caught between southern pride and southern blame”.
Then LL Cool J comes in and says, “Dear Mr. White Man, I wish you understood. What the world is really like when you’re livin’ in the hood. Just because my pants are saggin’ doesn’t mean I’m up to no good. You should try to get to know me, I really wish you would. Now my chains are gold but I’m still misunderstood. I wasn’t there when Sherman’s March turned the south into firewood. I want you to get paid but be a slave I never could. Feel like a new fangled Django, dodgin’ invisible white hoods. So when I see that white cowboy hat, I’m thinkin’ it’s not all good. I guess we’re both guilty of judgin’ the cover not the book. I’d love to buy you a beer, conversate and clear the air. But I see that red flag and I think you wish I wasn’t here”.
I personally see nothing wrong with the song. Brad Paisley is obviously saying that he’s proud of where he came from but he constantly is being pictured in a certain light because of the South’s pass. He explains that he can’t change what happened but they can work to make a better future. Then LL is saying that he shouldn’t be judged by what he’s wearing and even him having money don’t change the looks he gets. He knows that he makes an assumption about a white man when h looks a certain way. He knows that they both are guilty of judging a person without knowing them and he would like that to change.
I want to paint a scenario for everyone. Let’s say a white man growing up in the south where their views are totally different from an African Americans views. This white man sees things around him that are considered right where he’s from. So that’s what he grows up knowing. Until he begins to understand that some of the things he saw growing up weren’t right, he tries to change. This man has to teach himself how to be this person that’s understanding and respectful to other races. He never was taught that, so he is going to do things that may seem racist to others until he learns. Taking the time to learn says a lot about this person.
Brad Paisley didn’t have to make this song, but he made it because this is an issue that we as the new generation struggle with every day. He’s just giving the point of view of a white man. I’ve met people before that are proud of where their from, but they’re not proud of what they are known for. There a genuinely some white people that want to understand, but we automatically shut them out. Don’t get me wrong there are still racist people, but it’s not everyone. At least give a person a chance before you automatically call them racist.
I respect the fact that Paisley knows that his past isn’t the best and he acknowledge that things need to change. When I read what people are saying online about this song it confuses me because I’m wondering if their actually paying attention to the lyrics or more worried about it being a trendy sound? FYI this track is to open your eyes…
Please comment and tell me what you thing of the new track. MuaH! J
onpointcelebz 