Today’s session at the Hangover Cafe is probably the “hardest” entry to date. Gary Clark Jr.’s “This Land” is a blues rock song with tempered anger and a “take that” attitude. Apparently, the song was inspired by the casual racism Clark faced from neighbors. Some of them couldn’t believe that HE could own 50 acres of land in Texas. He is weary and he’s standing his ground.
Fuck you, I’m America’s son
—Gary Clark Jr.
This is where I come from
Like I said, he’s angry in this song. Hard to blame him. How many times has he dealt with “paranoid and pissed off” neighbors? I’m hardly in a position to pretend to know exactly how he feels. I’ve never been denied a good, a service, or a conversation because of my skin color, my orientation, or my gender. It saddens me to say it, but in that regard, I’m sort of playing life on easy mode. It sucks that that’s not the case for everyone in a country that once billed itself as a melting pot. The “wretched refuse” has become uncaring, to say the least.
I understand that topics like what Gary Clark Jr. sings about in “This Land” are touchy at best. I’ll repeat something that I often do in conversations like this: if they’re not talking about you, they’re not talking about you. There is no need to retort with whataboutism or “not all [insert some demographic group]” defenses. But if you truly want to be an ally or prove yourself to be compassionate and understanding, start by listening to the grievances of people who feel unheard.
That’s our first step. Some people have been nursing hangovers their whole lives while those around them keep offering them more to drink and no preventative measures. Take care of yourselves, and someone else too.
