White Riot
White Riot: Challenging Conformity and Questioning Authority
Lyrics
White riot, I wanna riot
Expressing a desire for a riot led by white individuals.
White riot, a riot of my own
Desiring a riot that is specifically associated with the speaker.
White riot, I wanna riot
Reiteration of the desire for a riot by the speaker.
White riot, a riot of my own
Reiteration of the speaker's desire for a personal riot.
Black people gotta lot a problems
Acknowledging that black people face numerous problems.
But they don't mind throwing a brick
Suggesting that despite facing problems, some black individuals resort to violent protests (throwing a brick).
White people go to school
Highlighting that white people attend school.
Where they teach you how to be thick
Criticizing the education system for promoting ignorance ("how to be thick").
And everybody's doing
Observing conformity; people doing what they are told to do.
Just what they're told to
Emphasizing obedience to authority.
And nobody wants to go to jail
Expressing a reluctance of individuals to go to jail, avoiding resistance.
All the power's in the hands of people
Pointing out the concentration of power in the hands of the wealthy.
Rich enough to buy it
Highlighting the influence of wealth in society.
While we walk the street too
While the wealthy have power, ordinary people walk the streets without attempting change.
Chicken to even try it
Describing a lack of courage among ordinary people to challenge the powerful.
Everybody's doing
Reiteration of conformity; people following instructions.
Just what they're told to
Emphasizing the pervasive nature of obedience to authority.
Nobody wants to go to jail
Reflecting the general aversion to going to jail by complying with societal norms.
Are you taking over
Possibly questioning whether a change in leadership or control is occurring.
Or are you taking orders?
Raising a question about the individual's stance: taking charge or following orders?
Are you going backwards
Pondering whether progress is being made or if there's a regression.
Or are you going forwards?
Asking whether actions are moving forward or backward in a broader sense.
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