Never in my Name

Never in my Name

What is it exactly that makes you feel this way
Is it something that your Daddy used to say?
Was it slowly, firmly planted, deep within your mind
‘These people, they are ‘different; not our kind’.
Did you listen to the stories, that your Uncle used to tell
About the food they cooked and how badly it smelt?
And after first using the ‘N’ word, how long did it take
Before you felt invested in learning how to hate?

Did you read it in the classroom, passed around in concealed notes
Was there someone in the schoolyard, the butt of ugly jokes?
Did you feel a strong connection, buying into ‘them and us’
Were there constant testimonials, like ‘those people you can’t trust’?
But did you ever think about it, how did it all begin
How someone could be hated for the colour of their skin,
Or the tone of their accent, or the practice of their faith?
Do you believe you have just reason, or is it hate for hating sake?

Right across the ages, down throughout the years
A creeping fire of prejudice, was fanned by whispered fears,
Some say that’s just the way it is, the way it’s always been
And we don’t really mean offence, at least not the way it seems.
It’s just our way of talking, the use of names and words
That doesn’t mean we’re racist and nobody gets hurt,
These vile and ugly comments, many times I’ve heard first-hand
But the more and more I hear it, the less I understand.

Are we really all so different, that some people can’t relate
What do they find so threatening with colour, creed and race?
I’ve encountered many incidents, that made me feel ashamed
With ignorant denouncers seeking innocents to blame.
When I first stood in protest, I was quickly beaten down
Shocked, confused and bloodied, lying frightened on the ground,
Processing what just happened, I looked up to see a face
Contorted in a rage, adrenalized with hate.

I was warned about my friendship, I should ‘stick to my own kind’
If I refused this good advice, it would be worse for me next time,
Now 43 years later, I can’t say if much has changed
Black and white, wrong or right, the arguments remain.
There’s still the primate reference, still the racist names
Still the childish ugly jokes, the vile unfounded claims,
I can’t stop the way you’re thinking and your feelings I can’t change
You may curse and rant and remonstrate, point and shout and blame.
Express your warped collective, view and work to bind the chain
Believe that every word is true, but never in my name,
Never,
Never, never, never, never in my name!