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sameolme
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It was 1966 and Janis Ian came out of
nowhere with a hit single about an
interracial romance destroyed by racism.
She was 15 years old.
It was 1966 and race riots were spreading in American cities, building
toward the chaos and violence of the summer of 67'.
It was 1966 and my uncle had just reduced my cousin, Diane, to tears
by calling her a "nigger lover".
I think it was in reaction to her expressing enthusiasm for a popular black singer.
It was 1966, and Debbie had gone and written my name all over her notebook!
I was stunned!
I hadn't ever had a girlfriend (I was 13).
She was friendly, pretty, smart, and
she liked me!
It was 1966, Debbie was black and I'm white.
Newark, NJ. was right over the hill, getting ready to explode next summer.
All day I kept sneaking glances at the notebook, at Debbie, and trying to act casual. Trying not to panic.
She smiled shyly at me.
After school I got a call from Vicky.
Some girls were over her house, including Debbie! Did I want to come over?
It was 1966, and I chickened out.
I would truely love to be able to tell how romance triumphed over bigotry,
and fear, but it didn't, I didn't.
I will always regret this.
So please, if you read this, please always summon the courage to love.
Society's Child
(Janis Ian)
COME TO MY DOOR, BABY
FACE IS CLEAN AND SHINING BLACK AS NIGHT
MY MAMA WENT TO ANSWER
YOU KNOW THAT YOU LOOKED SO FINE
NOW I COULD UNDERSTAND THE TEARS & THE SHAME
SHE CALLED YOU BOY INSTEAD OF YOUR NAME
WHEN SHE WOULDN'T LET YOU INSIDE
WHEN SHE TURNED AND SAID
"BUT HONEY, HE'S NOT OUR KIND"
SHE SAYS I CAN'T SEE YOU ANY MORE, BABY
CAN'T SEE YOU ANY MORE
WALK ME DOWN TO SCHOOL, BABY
EVERYBODY'S ACTING DEAF AND BLIND
UNTIL THEY TURN AND SAY
"WHY DON'T YOU STICK TO YOUR OWN KIND"
MY TEACHERS ALL LAUGH, THEIR SMIRKING STARES
CUTTING DEEP DOWN IN OUR AFFAIRS
PREACHERS OF EQUALITY
THINK THEY BELIEVE IT
THEN WHY WON'T THEY JUST LET US BE?
THEY SAY I CAN'T SEE YOU ANY MORE, BABY
CAN'T SEE YOU ANY MORE
ONE OF THESE DAYS I'M GONNA STOP MY LISTENING
GONNA RAISE MY HEAD UP HIGH
ONE OF THESE DAYS I'M GONNA RAISE UP
MY GLISTENING WINGS AND FLY
BUT THAT DAY WILL HAVE TO WAIT FOR A WHILE
BABY, I'M ONLY SOCIETY'S CHILD
WHEN WE'RE OLDER, THINGS MAY CHANGE
BUT FOR NOW THIS IS THE WAY THEY MUST REMAIN
I SAY I CAN'T SEE YOU ANY MORE, BABY
CAN'T SEE YOU ANY MORE
NO, I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU ANY MORE
BABY
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041221
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