American Skin

No other songwriter has equaled the power of Bruce Springsteen’s searing ballad of a black mother giving her son The Talk. As timely as when it was written after the police killing of Amadou Diallo, it ends on the plaintive notes of a saxophone played by Bruce’s dear friend, the late, great Clarence Clemons. Sadly, those who most needed to receive its message reflexively hardened themselves against it. I ask forgiveness for the hatred their cold and heartless reaction stirs in me still. #BlackLivesMatter