Guilty of Being White
Minor Threat Lyrics


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I'm sorry
For something that I didn't do
Lynched somebody
But I don't know who
You blame me for slavery
A hundred years before I was born

[Repeat: x4]
Guilty of being white

I'm sorry
For something that I didn't do
Lynched somebody
But I don't know who
You blame me for slavery
A hundred years before I was born

[Repeat: x4]
Guilty of being white

I'm a convict (Guilty!)
Of a racist crime (Guilty!)
I've only served (Guilty!)
Nineteen years of my time

I'm sorry
For something that I didn't do
Lynched somebody
But I don't know who
You blame me for slavery
A hundred years before I was born





[Repeat: x4]
Guilty of being white

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Minor Threat's "Guilty of Being White" are a response to the criticism and guilt that lead singer Ian MacKaye and other white individuals faced during the 1980s punk rock scene. The song expresses a sense of frustration and confusion towards the expectation of white people to take responsibility for the historical oppression of people of color.


The line "lynched somebody, but I don't know who" is a reference to the concept of collective blame, in which white people are blamed for the actions of their ancestors simply because of their race. The repetition of the phrase "guilty of being white" throughout the song serves to illustrate this point further. The lyrics also acknowledge the existence of racism and white privilege, but address the assumption that all white individuals are inherently racist.


Interestingly, the song was initially met with controversy within the punk rock community, with some accusing MacKaye of being a racist. However, MacKaye has stated that the song was written as a response to being accused of racism simply for being white, and that it was a means of expressing frustration and confusion towards that expectation.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm sorry
I apologize


For something that I didn't do
I am being blamed for something I am innocent of


Lynched somebody
I have been accused of being responsible for the death of someone, though I did not commit the act


But I don't know who
I have no knowledge of who was involved or responsible for this crime


You blame me for slavery
I am being held accountable for the actions of people who lived long before my time


A hundred years before I was born
The events being referred to took place long before my arrival into this world


Guilty of being white
I am feeling discriminated against simply because of the color of my skin


I'm a convict (Guilty!)
In the eyes of society, I am already considered guilty, regardless of whether or not I am actually innocent


Of a racist crime (Guilty!)
The crime I am accused of is believed to be motivated by racial prejudice


I've only served (Guilty!)
Despite my protestations of innocence, I have already served time in jail


Nineteen years of my time
The amount of time I have already been incarcerated for this alleged crime




Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Written by: BAKER, MACKAYE, NELSON, PRESLAR

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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