Who was wrong? Me, or the adult?

Question

When I was 7 yrs old back in 1967, my aunt took my mom downtown to pay a bill. My cousins and I sat in the car, listening to the radio. A song came on, "Son of a preacher man". To my knowledge, there is nothing racially derrogatory about the lyrics of this song. But around the second chorus, some angry black woman of about 25 came to the car and stuck her head through the window and yelled, "Shut up, you little white b.itches!". None of us were over the age of 11. So...what we do to warrant that? Is there some hidden meaning in those lyrics that a white person wouldn't be aware of? To this day, I'll turn the radio off if I hear this song because it reminds me of this incident and pi.ss.es me off. So who was wrong? Us kids or the woman?

Answer 1

You were blameless, of course. As a child of seven, you could hardly be blamed, no matter what you were singing. What's interesting to me is that you remember this incident so clearly and that it still affects your behavior today. I would bet that the perpetrator, on the other hand, is living in blissful ignorance of the impact of her actions. Indeed, I doubt very much she remembers the incident at all. Your story is a welcome reminder of how deeply children can by affected by what to an adult would be a minor annoyance. Doubtless the woman in question was quite used to speaking to children in this way and thought nothing of it. These children, apart from becoming inured to verbal abuse, will have learned to talk to their own children in this way. And so the cycle continues.

Answer 2

Some people of all races are profound racists. That woman was one. Reminds me of this black woman who got mad because I bumped into her in a store and launched off into calling me a racist honky...yadda yadda before I could even apologize. I let her rave for about 3 minutes- long enough for everybody within the 10 mile earshot to stop and stare. Then I told her I was sorry to kill her most righteous indignation buzz but it was an accident and, by the way, I'm mixed. You've never seen anyone disappear so fast. Just let it go. You were minding your own business. The stupid heifer just had a chip on her shoulder.

Answer 3

It was wrong for an adult to take out anger on a child. But, think about the time frame and what was going on. You were a "safe" target at a time when black individuals were under heavy pressures and intense discrimination. Perhaps the other woman was younger than you thought and just a teenager herself; perhaps (knowing how kids can be) the singing really was that obnoxious and unfortunately she tagged a racial epitaph.

Answer 4

Most definitely the adult. You all were just kids. I don't know what the song is or what it means either but I don't think it warranted that response. Even if I hear adults listening at things that are derogatory towards others, I have come to realize it is nothing but satan trying to get a rise out of me and I thank God I can just walk away. May God Bless U.

Answer 5

She was wrong. If it was back in 1967, this was during the Civil Rights Movement and she was probably demonstrating her newfound "power"-which was to terrorize white kids. It had nothing to do with the song. Listen to the song and enjoy it and don't focus on what happened 40 years ago. For all you know, she could have had a mental problem or she could have just been victimized by a white person and she had to vent her frustration on someone. You just happened to be there.

Answer 6

The adult was wrong of course. Even if you were doing something wrong (which, of course, you were not) she should not have yelled at and sworn at children.

I do not see anything racially biased about the song. I know it was originally offered to Aretha Franklin and she turned it down. Dusty Springfield recorded it first and it became a hit. Aretha Franklin recorded it on an album of hers released in 1970.

This woman had serious issues. Hopefully she became a better person as grew older.

Answer 7

Lyrics:
Artist Name: Dusty Springfield
Album Name: The Very Best Of Dusty Springfield
Song Name: Son Of A Preacher Man

Does this seem racisit to you nope it was in the sixtes durng the civil right movement and she could of been ticked of at white people at that moment or she just hated song or just hated white people or she was just plain mad sorry about that bad experince

Lyrics:
Billy-Ray was a preacher's son
And when his daddy would visit he'd come along
When they gathered round and started talkin'
That's when Billy would take me walkin'
A-through the back yard we'd go walkin'
Then he'd look into my eyes
Lord knows to my surprise
The only one who could ever reach me
Was the son of a preacher man
The only boy who could ever teach me
Was the son of a preacher man
Yes he was, he was, mmm, yes he was

Being good isn't always easy
No matter how hard I try
When he started sweet-talkin' to me
He'd come and tell me everything is all right
He'd kiss and tell me everything is all right
Can I get away again tonight?

The only one who could ever reach me
Was the son of a preacher man
The only boy who could ever teach me
Was the son of a preacher man
Yes he was, he was, Lord knows he was

How well I remember
The look that was in his eyes
Stealin' kisses from me on the sly
Takin' time to make time
Tellin' me that he's all mine
Learnin' from each other's knowing
Lookin' to see how much we've grown

And the only one who could ever reach me
Was the son of a preacher man
The only boy who could ever teach me
Was the son of a preacher man
Yes he was, he was, oh, yes he was
He was the sweet-talking son of a preacher man
I guessed he was the son of a preacher man
Sweet-lovin' son of a preacher man
Ahh, move me

Answer 8

The adult was very wrong. There is nothing wrong with the song. There is nothing racially slanderous in the words of the song. Even if there were she had no right to say anything to someone elses children. It was none of her business. I love the song.

Answer 9

The "adult" going on 10, of course. But why are you pondering something that happened so long ago?

Answer 10

That adult was wrong! You were just listening to your songs enjoying your selves! If she would have done that to me she would of had a black eye. My hand would of punched her eye be for we drove off. How dare she does that!? Now the stupid BlTCH made a phobia of you listening to your music.

I say FUC.K her and enjoy yourself!