Accidental Racist: Twitter And YouTube React To Brad Paisley, LL Cool J Song

Brad Paisley, as you probably know by now, has a new song called “Accidental Racist,” which features LL Cool J. It’s getting a lot of media attention, and generating a lot of discuss...
Accidental Racist: Twitter And YouTube React To Brad Paisley, LL Cool J Song
Written by Chris Crum
  • Brad Paisley, as you probably know by now, has a new song called “Accidental Racist,” which features LL Cool J. It’s getting a lot of media attention, and generating a lot of discussion in social media.

    Good luck trying to find it on YouTube. You can find it on Spotify, if you’re so inclined. Here’s what some are saying about it on Twitter:

    Some of the reactions on YouTube have been interesting:

    Here are the lyrics (via AZLyrics):

    To the man that waited on me at the Starbucks down on Main, I hope you understand
    When I put on that t-shirt, the only thing I meant to say is I’m a Skynyrd fan
    The red flag on my chest somehow is like the elephant in the corner of the south
    And I just walked him right in the room
    Just a proud rebel son with an ‘ol can of worms
    Lookin’ like I got a lot to learn but from my point of view

    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

    They called it Reconstruction, fixed the buildings, dried some tears
    We’re still siftin’ through the rubble after a hundred-fifty years
    I try to put myself in your shoes and that’s a good place to begin
    But it ain’t like I can walk a mile in someone else’s skin

    ‘Cause I’m a white man livin’ in the southland
    Just like you I’m more than what you see
    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
    And we’re still paying for mistakes
    That a bunch of folks made long before we came
    And caught between southern pride and southern blame

    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’m just a white man
    (If you don’t judge my do-rag)
    Comin’ to you from the southland
    (I won’t judge your red flag)
    Tryin’ to understand what it’s like not to be

    I’m proud of where I’m from
    (If you don’t judge my gold chains)
    But not everything we’ve done
    (I’ll forget the iron chains)
    it ain’t like you and me can re-write history
    (Can’t re-write history baby)

    Oh, Dixieland
    (The relationship between the Mason-Dixon needs some fixin’)
    I hope you understand what this is all about
    (Quite frankly I’m a black Yankee but I’ve been thinkin’ about this lately)
    I’m a son of the new south
    (The past is the past, you feel me)
    And I just want to make things right
    (Let bygones be bygones)
    Where all that’s left is southern pride
    (RIP Robert E. Lee but I’ve gotta thank Abraham Lincoln for freeing me, know what I mean)
    It’s real, it’s real
    It’s truth

    Get the WebProNews newsletter delivered to your inbox

    Get the free daily newsletter read by decision makers

    Subscribe
    Advertise with Us

    Ready to get started?

    Get our media kit