I got a thought-provoking letter yesterday, it's from a
Well-intentioned guy who seems to think I've lost my way, he criti-
cized the girls I date... the way I talk... the sport I play... he said I...
hardly seem to be a 'brotha'...
It read, "Excuse me, my intention's not to pry, I'm only
Writing to you 'cause you seem to be a real nice guy, I know you'll
turn this thing around, you see you only have to try, 'cause there are
Fifty ways to be a 'brotha',
Fifty ways to be a 'brotha'..."

"(You should) give up the golf, Rolf
Dump the white chick, Rick
Talk with a drawl, Paul --
and speak with more 'bass'...
Hang out with Spike, Ike
Yes, be a bit like Mike
But always look pissed, Chris
And speak out on race..."

"Shoulder a chip, Flip
Refer to 'The Man', Stan
Denounce your sport, Mort,
for being "too white..."
Wear an Afro, Joe --
Or maybe some corn rows?
And order coffee, 'G',
that's 'black' and not 'light'..."

I think that's fine, if that's what 'blackness' is for you, I think the
Problem is, diversity of images are few, he under-
states things... cause there's really many more than fifty ways...
I think a broader view's what people often lack, of what it
Means to be a Muslim, Jew, an Asian or a Black, we like to
Pigeonhole the 'types' we love, the 'types' we should attack, but there's a....
zillion ways to be a 'brotha',
zillion ways to be a 'brotha'...

(You can) date a black girl, Burl
(Or) date who you like, Ike
Date a Jewish guy, Ty
If guys are your style...
(You can) date a white actress --
(It) won't change your blackness!
Just be true to YOU, Stu --
You're 'you' for a while...

Tee up at the green, Dean
(Or) shoot a few hoops, Duke
Take up raquetball, Paul --
It's only a game...
Play some polo, Joe --
('Cause) that sport has NO 'bro's! --
Or take up hockey, Steve
And don't be ashamed...

(You can) vote 'Democrat', Nat
(Or) vote for the 'Right', Dwight
(You can) pick either side, Wyatt,
(Or) vote 'Indy' or 'Green'...
Vote who you trust, Gus --
(Yes,) vote with your conscience...
(But) whatever you do, Lou,
Just stay on the scene...