LL Cool J sparks outrage after teaming up with country singer for song 'Accidental Racist'

09 April 2013, 10:02 | Written by Luke Morgan Britton

(News)

Although their intentions can only be assumed to be good, LL Cool J and country musician Brad Paisley have evoked criticism and ridicule online after collaborating on a race relations track called ‘Accidental Racist’.

Surfacing online yesterday, the team-up has sparked outrage from both country and western fans, hip-hop advocates and all those in between, with many pointing out that the track reinforces racist stereotypes rather than challenging them.

The song in question opens with Paisley describing an awkward situation of (presumably African American) service workers thinking he’s a racist because he wears a Confederate flag on his shirt:

“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”

Paisley continues to express guilt for the history of slavery in the Southern states but urging people to put the dark past of his home behind them:

“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”

Later LL Cool J chips in for a verse, speaking to both Paisley and the white race as a whole that they shouldn’t judge a “cover not the book”. Roles reverse when the rapper seemingly admits to both being guilty of prejudice.

“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”