Prejudice
Tim Minchin Lyrics

In our modern free-spoken society
In our society that encourages free speech and conversation

There is a word that we still hold taboo
There is a word that we still consider offensive and inappropriate to say

A word with a terrible history
A word with a history of being used to cause harm and pain

Of being used to abuse, oppress and subdue
Of being used to mistreat, control, and silence others

Just six seemingly harmless letters
Just a few letters that may seem harmless on their own

Arranged in a way that will form a word
Put together in a way that creates a specific word with a negative connotation

With more power than the pieces of metal
With a greater impact on people than physical weapons

That are forged to make swords
That are created to harm or kill others

A couple of Gs, an R and an E, an I and an N
The specific letters that, when arranged, create the offensive word

Just six little letters all jumbled together
An innocent arrangement of letters that, when put together, creates an offensive word

Have caused damage that we may never mend
Have caused harm and hurt to others that can never be fully repaired

And it's important that we all respect
It's crucial that we show consideration for others' experiences and feelings

That if these people should happen to choose
If those who have been hurt by the word decide to reclaim it

To reclaim the word as their own
To take back and redefine the word for themselves

It doesn't mean the rest of you have a right to it's use
It doesn't give others the right to use the word casually or as an insult

So never underestimate
Don't overlook or ignore

The power that language imparts
The influence that words can have on people

Sticks and stones may break your bones
Physical harm is painful but not as lasting as emotional pain

But words can break hearts
Words can cause lasting emotional harm

Only a ginger can call another ginger ginger
Only someone with red hair can use the word 'ginger' to refer to another person with red hair

So listen to me if you care for your health
Pay attention to what I'm saying if you want to avoid conflict

You won't call me ginger 'less you're ginger yourself
Don't use the word 'ginger' to refer to me unless you also have red hair

When you are a ginger life is pretty hard
Life can be difficult for people with red hair and they may face discrimination

Years of ritual bullying in the school yard
Bullying that is systematic and repeated over time

Kids calling you Ranga and Fanta Pants
Children teasing and taunting with offensive names

No invitation to the high school dance
Feeling excluded from social events like school dances

But you get up and learn to hold your head up
But you learn to have confidence and self-respect

You try to keep your cool and not get het up
You try to stay calm and avoid getting angry or upset

But until the feeling of ill is truly let up
Until the negative feelings and experiences have been fully addressed and healed

Then the word is ours and ours alone
Then red-haired people have the right to reclaim and redefine the word 'ginger'

Don't you know that...
Do you not realize that...

So if you call us "ginge" we just might come unhinged
If you use the word 'ginge' to refer to us, we may become angry and upset

If you don't have a fringe with at least a tinge of the ginge
If you don't have red hair, even if it's just a little bit, don't use the word 'ginge'

Now listen to me, we're not looking for sympathy
Understand that we're not trying to gain sympathy or pity

Just because we're sensitive to UV
Just because people with red hair are more sensitive to sunlight

Just 'cause we're pathetically pale
Just because people with red hair often have fair skin

We do alright with the females
We do well with attracting female attention

And soon they're running their fingers through my ginger beard
And soon they're showing affection by playing with my facial hair

And dunking my ginger nuts into their ginger tea
And making sexual jokes and innuendos about my red hair

And asking if they can call me ginge
And asking if they can use the word 'ginge' to refer to me

"I don't think that's appropriate!"
"I don't think that's proper or right to do!"

Yeah go ginge, go you funky ginge
Yes, celebrate being a red-haired person and all the great things about it

Yeah, funky ginger mofo
Yes, embrace being a unique and awesome red-haired person

You can call us bozo or fire truck
You can use other silly or lighthearted names to refer to us if you want

You can even call us carrot top or blood nut
You can use other nicknames that refer to our red hair color if you want

Yeah, you can call us match stick or tampon
You can use other absurd or offensive names to refer to us if you want

But fucking with the G-word is just not on
But using the offensive word to refer to us or others is not acceptable

If you're a gingerphobe and you don't like us
If you have a fear or hatred of red-haired people and don't accept us

We will stand up to the fight if you want to fight us
We will defend ourselves and fight back if you choose to harm us

But if you cut yourself you might catch gingivitis
But if you harm yourself, you might develop a gum disease called gingivitis

So maybe you should shut your funky mouth
Maybe you should keep quiet and not use offensive language or start conflicts

Just like only a ninja can sneak up on another ninja
Just like only a trained assassin can sneak up on another trained assassin

Yeah, only a ginger, only a ginger, only a ginger, yeah
Yes, only someone with red hair can use the word 'ginger' to refer to another person with red hair

Are you listening up, I'm not pointing the finger
Are you paying attention? I'm not accusing anyone

I'm just having a sing-a
I'm just singing my song and expressing my views

I'm just reminding ya
I'm just reminding you of the importance of respectful language and consideration for others