page_title: Accidental Racist
section_title: Background and composition
hierarchical_section_title: Accidental Racist / Background and composition
context_page_description: "Accidental Racist" is a song performed by American country artist Brad Paisley from his ninth studio album Wheelhouse. It features American hip hop artist LL Cool J and was written by Paisley, LL Cool J, and Lee Thomas Miller.
context_section_description: The song generated controversy for its discussion of racism, particularly the song's message of showing "Southern pride" which includes the Confederate flag. Paisley stated that the films Lincoln and Django Unchained were inspirations, and noted particular importance in the lyrics "We're still picking up the pieces, walking on eggshells, fighting over yesterday" as well as "Paying for the mistakes that a lot of folks made long before we came," stating "We're all left holding the bag here, left with the burden of these generations. And I think the younger generations are really kind of looking for ways out of this." In his verse, LL Cool J raps "RIP Robert E. Lee, But I gotta thank Abraham Lincoln for freeing me."
caption: In the song, Paisley discusses wearing a shirt depicting the Confederate flag simply as a symbol of the Southern United States hoping that it is not misinterpreted.[2]