By Ian Jobling • 6/20/08
A few days ago, I wrote that the word “white” has become a term of insult. A song by NOFX, a popular alternative rock band, called “Don’t Call Me White” allows me to expand on this point. (The lyrics and a YouTube video of a performance follow.) The singer, who is white, finds this racial designation intolerable, and explains his feelings in the song. According to the song, calling someone “white” is to accuse him of being part of a “conspiracy,” evoking black conspiracy theories about whites creating AIDS to kill off blacks and planting drugs in black neighborhoods.
The singer claims it is unjust to call him white because the term:
Represents everything I hate:
The soap shoved in your mouth to cleanse the mind
The vast majority of sheep
A buttoned collar, starched and bleached
Constricting veins, the blood flow to the brain slows
They’re so fuckin’ ordinary white
According to the song then, just as in the Matrix movies, the word “white” implies that one is a member of a conformist, fascist establishment that darkly conspires against the rest of the world.
People who think I’m hypersensitive may point out that other races engage in self-mockery, too. The difference is, though, that the term “white” has no positive connotations to balance out the negative ones. Being “black” may mean that you are irresponsible and even criminally inclined, but the term also has the connotations of spontaneity and courageous rebellion against the established “white” order.
Besides, the tone of the song isn’t humorous, but bitter. The singer clearly regards being called “white” as a deadly accusation, filled with “malice” and “spite.”
The negative connotations attaching to the term “white” automatically discredits anyone who speaks in their name. The word must be detoxified before anyone will listen to us.
Don’t Call Me White, by NOFX
Don’t call me white, Don’t call me white
Don’t call me white, Don’t call me whiteThe connotations wearing my nerves thin
Could it be semantics generating the mess we’re in?
I understand that language breeds stereotype
But what’s the explanation for the malice, for the spite?Don’t call me white, Don’t call me white
Don’t call me white, Don’t call me whiteI wasn’t brought here, I was born
Circumsized, categorized, allegiance sworn,
Does this mean I have to take such shit
For being fairskinned? No!
I ain’t a part of no conspiracy,
I’m just you’re average Joe.Don’t call me white, Don’t call me white
Don’t call me white, Don’t call me whiteRepresents everything I hate,
The soap shoved in your mouth to cleanse the mind
The vast majority of sheep
A buttoned collar, starched and bleached
Constricting veins, the blood flow to the brain slows
They’re so fuckin’ ordinary whiteDon’t call me white, Don’t call me white
Don’t call me white, Don’t call me whiteWe’re better off this way
Say what you’re gonna say
So go ahead and label me
An asshole cause I can
Accept responsibility, for what I’ve done
But not for who I amDon’t call me white, Don’t call me white
Don’t call me white, Don’t call me white
Don’t call me white, Don’t call me white