W.M.A.

Pearl Jam's song 'W.M.A.' (short for 'White Male American') is a powerful commentary on racial injustice and the privileges that come with being a white male in America. The song opens with the line 'He won the lottery when he was born,' which immediately sets the tone for a discussion on the inherent advantages that come with being born white. The imagery of a white child taking his mother's breast and being 'trained like dogs' to recognize color and smell highlights the early indoctrination into a racially biased society.

The repeated references to the 'police man' and the lines 'Police stopped my brother again' underscore the systemic racism faced by people of color, particularly Black Americans. The song contrasts the experiences of a white male, who can 'dirty his hands' and have it 'come right off,' with those of a Black individual who is repeatedly harassed and stopped by the police. This stark contrast serves to highlight the double standards and the different realities faced by people based on their race.

The line 'Jesus greets me, looks just like me' further emphasizes the idea of racial privilege, suggesting that even religious and cultural icons are often depicted in a way that reinforces white supremacy. The song concludes with the lines 'All my pieces set me free...human devices set me free,' which can be interpreted as a call for liberation from the societal constructs and devices that perpetuate racial inequality. Through its raw and unflinching lyrics, 'W.M.A.' serves as a poignant critique of racial injustice and a call to recognize and dismantle the privileges that uphold it.