Mr. Stopnick And Emmie

Yes, I know it worked just dandy

For that Indian Mr. Gandhi

But with respect for Martin Luther King -

I think it's a negro thing? A southern thing

A Christian thing

Mister, you don't understand

How Dr. King has got things planned

Oh, Jews can be nonviolent too

There's nothing meeker than a Jew

Listen, girly, we have learned

Nonviolence will get you burned!

No! I'm sorry, that ain't so

Listen to the radio!

What we're tryin's already workin'

Segregation's already dyin'

I've been on this earth a while

Your optimism makes me smile

Good for you! (Papa, this is Emmie)

You're optimistic

But I think it ain't realistic (Emmie, this is Mr. Stopnick)

I'd like to know

How you've come to feel

You know so much

About what is real

Sitting safe

And high and pretty

Way up north

In New York City

I'd like to know

Emmie! (Mama)

I said quit! (He the one started it)

You know, I was reading in the paper just -

(I'd like to know how) Is that so?

Why's it so impossible to know? (Some guy just off a plane)

White or Jew or Negro (marchin' in to explain)

If the boss's boot's in your face (guess you seen it all plain from the air)

What do you do? (It our)

Shed a tear? (affair)

Keep lying there (now our resistance)

A face knows it's no footrest (start to make a difference)

Regardless of religion or race! (Here for your assistance!)

Emmie, child, hush your mouth

Now you march that tray back into the kitchen

Lady, please

Since I came south

She's my first real conversation

Let her stay

(It's past her bed)

It's good that she's high spirited

Yes'm, thank you

We'll start cleaning in the kitchen

And go home