The Dreck

I'm all about respect, 'cause heck We're up to our neck In some vexing perplexities Like why our Mexican brothers Get stashed in a mash of trash Where, if you do the math, They just don't belong And it's wrong But writing songs just 3 minutes long Just isn't strong Enough to elongate our appreciation No not pandering No not man serving I'm talking integration Of what's true abroad and our odd perception from this nation Why is it our mother tongue Is the only one among the sweet syntax of speech Round here that we preach? 4 years of English each That our high schools teach But German? French? Spanish? Left on the beach I beseech thee, those of Shakespearean tastes Who retreat to their peers but waste A chance at a peek, a deliberate Reflection Connection Education Immersion in the culture of another nation It's not from high horses with your Abercrombies on That you can tell me I'm bigoted, ignorant, or at least on A higher wavelength than the rest of the world 'Cause when my story's unfurled you can trust It looks a lot like theirs, just with some different stuff on their Stairs In their hair Debonair Cleanin' rooms up with air Heard of that? When you do then come back 'Cause the dreck aren't the ones without the respect They're the ones with the scarves 'round their neck Wondering why their required Chinese class is next Then leave the room to go preach on respect