Accidental Racist

"Accidental Racist" is a song performed by American country artist Brad Paisley from his tenth studio album Wheelhouse (2013).

Jason Lipshutz of Billboard said the song "carries good intentions, but Paisley's latest track fails to become more than a flat-footed apology for hate-induced uneasiness" and critiqued LL Cool J's verses, saying "his proclamations regarding the history of slavery and the solution to racial tension are downright bizarre", particularly the lyrics "If you don't judge my gold chains, I'll forget the iron chains", saying it was "the most downright offensive line ... if LL Cool J's gold jewelry can be overlooked, so can all of slavery.

"[3] David Graham of The Atlantic also took issue with these lyrics as well as the lyrics "If you don't judge my do-rag, I won't judge your red flag", saying "It's pretty insane to compare an inoffensive piece of headgear to a flag that represents a treasonous secession movement devoting to maintaining the practice of slavery.

"[4] Brandon Soderberg of Spin criticized the production of the song, saying it was a "plastic-sounding Nashville facsimile fitted with rudimentary nods to hip-hop production—electronic drums tug along the almost six-minute song, while its studio effects-soaked sound vaguely nods to record scratching" as well as its message, though concluding that "It's hard to get really enraged at Brad Paisley and LL Cool J's country-hop attempt at racial solidarity because their clueless take on race-based message music seemingly meant well" but called it "the most politely toxic thing to drop onto the Internet this year.

"[5] The song was parodied during the Weekend Update segment of a season 38 episode of Saturday Night Live where Paisley and LL Cool J were portrayed by Jason Sudeikis and Kenan Thompson respectively.

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.