I have a new favorite song!! The lyrics are strong but so very correct. We all know, or most of us know, or have met at least one racist in our lives, or someone who is “soft” about racism. They tell you they aren’t, but laugh at racist jokes, maybe even tell them, but they assure you, they “don’t believe this way”. I remember when I lived in NW Portland. I had just repainted and refurnished my flat. I threw a party. A boyfriend of one of my cowokers told me and my guests a racist joke, he made sure he had everyones attention. I was mortified!! I looked him right in the eye and told him that racism is forbidden in my house and my life. I asked him why he would think it was acceptable. We had never met before that night. I apologized to my coworker and tgen told him he needed to leave, immediately. He then said that he “wasn’t that way, but wanted to see my reaction”. I responded; ” Well, now you’ve seen it. I hope you hesitate the next time you want to tell such a crass joke”.
This is one of the strongest ways to help people realize just how unacceptable racism is. It hits in the head like a baseball bat and we need to stand up with all of our strength against it. The more we make it known PRECISELY how unnacceptable it is, the more uncomfortable it becomes. Education is a strong tool. Use it in positive ways. Use it with strength.
Here are the lyrics;
If you have a racist friend
Now is the time, now is the time
For your friendship to end
Be it your sister, be it your brother
Be it your cousin, or your uncle, or your lover
If you have a racist friend
Now is the time, now is the time
For your friendship to end
Be it your best friend, or any other
Is it your husband, or your father, or your mother
Either change their views
Or change your friends
If you have a racist friend
Now is the time, now is the time
For your friendship to end
So if you know a racist who thinks he is your friend
Now is the time, now is the time
For your friendship to end
Call yourself my friend
Now is the time to make up your mind
Don’t try to pretend
Be it your sister, be it your brother
Be it your cousin, or your uncle, or your lover
So if you have a racist friend
Now is the time, now is the time
For our friendship to end
#NowPlaying Racist Friend – P3 Version by Naomi Pilgrim
