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