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Fireman Bahb is a proud American-American. The world is on fire because of racism, and he's the only guy qualified to put the fire out. With his glass half full and a positive mental attitude, come and take him as he is. He's an open book.

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Gonna Be a Better Day

Trafford Publishing

Contents

1. What's up New Style?.........................................................12. Hey New Style................................................................273. What's up New Style?.........................................................374. What's up New Style?.........................................................455. Hey New Style................................................................556. New Style.... What's Up?.....................................................677. What's Up "Yes We Can" Brand New Style Players ... Ha!!!.....................768. Hey New Style................................................................849. What's up New Style???.......................................................9810. What's up New Style?........................................................11511. Okay New Style..............................................................122

Chapter One

My name is Fireman Bahb (pronounced Bob) and I have the audacity to believe that I was created to try to end racism in America and the world today, through word and song. In doing so I am going to approach this endeavor as if it is a reality show. In other words, anything is fair game, except for honesty. Ha!!!

Even though I am relatively happy about my life's accomplishments one of my biggest regrets will be that two of America's greatest heroes in the fight against racism Ms. Rosa Parks or Mrs. Coretta Scott King will be unable to read this. God blessed them both. RIP.

You may ask, what makes me think I'm qualified to be able to tackle such a huge obstacle, especially when it's tendencies have endured for so long, with no hope of ever being cured? Well, I'm an American-American citizen, and I have faith in the Most High. In other words to me, anything is possible. Ha!!!

Don't worry, I'm not going to turn you off with the blame game or that old "woe is me" crybaby crap. I have been very blessed to be able to keep my glass half full throughout my life's experiences, no matter how hard things may have gotten.

Believe me, I have had wayyy more than my fair share of troubles, so unfortunately, I'm an expert when it comes to keeping it positive.

But, that also doesn't necessarily mean that I am blind. Ha!!

For clarification's sake, here are some definitions that will come in handy, in no order of relevance pertaining to this songbook, taken from a 1969 edition of The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language.

1. Racist-a person with the notion that one's own ethnic stock is superior. 2. Bigot-a person of strong conviction who is intolerant of those who differ with him in matters of race, religion or politics. 3. Discriminate-to make a clear distinction; distinguish; differentiate. To act on the basis of prejudice. 4. Prejudice-irrational suspicions or hatred of a particular group, race, or religion. An adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge or examination of the facts.

Let's face it, racism, discrimination, prejudice, and or bigotry, do still exist today in our society, no matter how subtle or blatant. I view it as a sickness or disease that has a simple cure.

Well, maybe not so simple. Ha!!!

To discover my cure I had to think hard about the origin of racism in people and what it takes to actually WANT to be or become a racist.

To me it takes two major characteristics, ignorance and greed.

Lets face it; a person would have to be a big dummy to go through life consciously bragging about being some sort of a racist. This attitude is absolutely unacceptable, mainly as written law in this country. Simply stated, to go against the law means you are asking for trouble. That, to me, is an ignorant act, to go out into life ONLY looking for trouble.

Besides the reason for those feelings of racism are more than likely based on the fear of somebody taking something away From you, or the bigger excuse.... taking something away from your race?

Heaven forbid there could be the slightest reduction of the racists' so-called rewards. Ha!!!!

That is why I also label racists greedy.

Seems like it's always some sort of a complaint associated with taking something away from the racist like a job, a partner, political offices, classroom space etc., as some sort of an excuse or justification as to why racists feel the way they do. Never assuming responsibility for whatever bad things occur in their lives. It's always because of this Black guy or that Jewish guy.

Remember the lack of intelligence part of my definition.

Thank God we don't see too much of the KKK (Klu Klux Klan) anymore on television and such, talking about how inferior certain races are to the supreme white race. That, attitude in and of itself, shows nothing more than fear about their race being outdone by others.

Whisper whisper....

Huh.... Who ... What??? Tea Baggers?? Who are they??? Dude ... can't you see I'm busy right now ... anyway.

I'm sure people can recollect times when all the public ever heard from racist crybabies would be complaints about different groups and races threatening to catch up.

The racist response would be to use nepotism or cronyism in job hiring practices to keep "them" out. Ha!!!!

In other words, "they" (different people) could come in here and do a better job than the scared racist guy or girl.

Prejudice is not limited to country people from the southern states anymore. This attitude is prevalent all over the country, except for in California. Ha!!!!

If that were true then my cousin, Francisco "Boo" Hardy, would never have been chosen as the Long Beach Mississippi High School basketball coach in Long Beach Miss. or later, Harrison Central High School in Gulfport Miss.

Let's go teams!!! Ha!!!

Hurricane Katrina didn't discriminate when it came to its path of destruction, although, early during the aftermath, the way the situation in New Orleans was handled, it did seem to make a lot of people in the United States wonder about our then President's compassion.

Hey, don't go there!

Oh yeah, sorry ... I forgot ... no crybaby stuff. Ha!!!

Anyway, getting back to the southern mentality. I was watching the Larry Elder show one night and a black couple from the south were guests and they were talking about how they couldn't trust white people and that they will raise their child to "beware" of white people. Ha!!!!

Anyway, Mr. Elder then brought out a group of white female high school students who had put together a documentary about the people depicted in the motion picture, "Mississippi Burning." A story about three civil rights workers who were murdered in 1964 and the case was never solved.

It was an effort by Mr. Elder to prove to the black couple that all white folks aren't bad.

To no avail.

But, the black dude did get busy with a couple of the white girls. Just kidding. Ha!!!! JK

This Black couple, even though they were adamant in their beliefs, didn't come off as a threat or anything. They were more than likely trying to be on the safe side, you know, 'watching their back' based on our/their history.

That can, perhaps, be characterized as prejudice or discrimination. Not so harsh as a bigot or a racist. I don't envision the black couple with water hoses...