Ice Cube - Integration Lyrics

Speaking as a Black man from America, which is a racist society
No matter how much you hear it talk about democracy
It's as racist as South Africa or as racist as Portugal
Or as racist as any other racialist society on this earth
The only difference between it and South Africa
South Africa preaches separation and practices separation
America preaches integration and practices segregation
This is the only difference
They don't practice what they preach, whereas South Africa preaches and practices the same thing
I have more respect for a man who lets me know where he stands
Even if he's wrong, than the one who comes up like an angel and is nothing but a devil

I don't agree with him because I'm not a follower of Muhammad myself
I think that all people have been mistreated in some form or another
But I don't agree with him, I don't follow Muhammad
I don't think anyone should follow one man
I think they should follow their own conscience
I think the main problem of most negroes is that they feel sorry for themselves
And I think this keeps them back much more
Than they would be if they didn't feel so sorry for themselves

If Martin Luther King, Roy Wilkins or any of these uh compromising negroes
Who say exactly what the white man wants to hear is interviewed anywhere
In the country, you don't get anybody to offset what they say
But whenever a black man stands up and says something that white people don't like
Then the first thing that white man does is run around and try and find somebody
To say something to offset what has just been said
This is natural, but it is done

You know what I think? I just think you've given up
(Given up on what?) On the ideal of an integrated America
The dream of Martin Luther King, I think you've given up
This is not, I'm not trying to be a smart alec now
I'm telling you honestly that I think you've given up

You know, it's interesting how white folks sit here thinking
That I have a reason to lie to you, as though you are so powerful
And you are so wonderful, and I am so ashamed of my words
That I have to twist and turn
Please, you're not dealing with that kind of man
You're dealing with a man who means what he says and says what he means