"Democrats say..."

[junkymotown]

Any thoughts on this line from Ifwhiteamerica...?

Conservatives say 'there ain't no black in the Union Jack' - fairly self-explanatory, as we know the Tories aren't historically the most tolerant bunch.

But... Democrats say 'there's too much white in the Stars and Stripes' - now is this just a silly mix-up, or does this seem a tad incorrect? Typically the democrats are the more inclusive of parties, no?

Any thoughts?

[Europa Gluten Free]

To me its just always been a play on black and white rather than anything deeper. Wire did write this tune after all!

[mar]

Originally Posted by proevpete

Wire did write this tune after all!

LOL this.

[junkymotown]

Originally Posted by proevpete

Wire did write this tune after all!

Haha, you make a good point!

[tzb]

I always took it as a stab at affirmative action/cultural guilt, and the juxtaposition of right-wing racism with that making some comment on the enormous role of colour in american politics. Clunky but he's saying the left can be as bad as the right.

[roi]

Possibly because the Clinton-era Democrats passed the Brady Act ("fuck the Brady bill") which brought in more background checks for handguns, the argument being that the legislation was discriminatory against African-Americans in practice(can't remember the detail of this). Another Holy Bible song full of grey areas.

[Takk]

Isn't it saying that america is racist in favour of white people?

[Bryter Layter]

Originally Posted by tzb

I always took it as a stab at affirmative action/cultural guilt, and the juxtaposition of right-wing racism with that making some comment on the enormous role of colour in american politics. Clunky but he's saying the left can be as bad as the right.

Yep. Given the lyric itself, this is the most plausible of all the explanations as far as I'm concerned. In fact, I always took this song as being critical of both sides of the political spectrum, not just right-wing ideologies.

Although, in terms of American politics, the Demorats are indeed considered the left-wing choice in the States, but their political ideologies lean more towards right-wing politics compared to those of us who live in socio-democratic countries where our left-wing political parties are truly 'left-wing'.

[Dac X Lee]

Originally Posted by tzb

I always took it as a stab at affirmative action/cultural guilt, and the juxtaposition of right-wing racism with that making some comment on the enormous role of colour in american politics. Clunky but he's saying the left can be as bad as the right.

Yep, I think so too.

[Lament]

His point was that the two major parties don't provide true alternatives to each other.

[Scum Factor]

i'm pretty sure the lyrics are

Conservatives say, "There ain't no black in the Union Jack"
Democrats say, "There ain't enough white in the Stars and Stripes"

and then in the second chorus it's

And we say, "There's not enough black in the Union Jack."
And we say, "There's too much white in the Stars and Stripes."

[junkymotown]

Correct Scum Factor, that's what I was meaning to say... thanks!

[socialist cook]

I see it as a reference to the Southern Democrats who supported keeping slavery back in the day (1860s era).

[Lament]

"America is still trying to convince itself it is positive, enlightened and absolute. Zapruder the first to sow doubts behind the reality/death of JFK. Bradey Bill typical - glorify gun culture until The Massacre gradually moves from the inner cities to the suburbs. The consequence arrives. Still believe Democrats are an alternative."

-Richey on Ifwhiteamerica... in one of those track by track things he did (I believe for NME)

[sculptureofabloke]

Originally Posted by Lament

"America is still trying to convince itself it is positive, enlightened and absolute. Zapruder the first to sow doubts behind the reality/death of JFK. Bradey Bill typical - glorify gun culture until The Massacre gradually moves from the inner cities to the suburbs. The consequence arrives. Still believe Democrats are an alternative."

-Richey on Ifwhiteamerica... in one of those track by track things he did (I believe for NME)

That quote's in the tour programme, took me ages to pick one of those up. Would've loved to have seen em on that tour, but as an 11 year old it's probably for the best I didn't!