Eddie James “Son” House Jr. has been dubbed the king of the Delta Blues. Historically rooted in the brutal realities of the Jim Crow South, this song explores what today might be called “microaggressions” – the seemingly small things (e.g., a “grin”) that, on the surface, can appear to be a friendly gesture but could also be a form of mocking and belittling. Recorded completely a capella and driven only by the rhythmic, piercing strike of Son House’s clapping hands, this song strips away a larger musical container to offer an exposed, raw, urgent truth – that is, that people can act like a friend to your face but then act against your best interests behind your back.

His lyrics suggest a stoicism as a form of resilience and self-protection – a “don’t you mind it” response to microaggressions. This resilience is an incredible asset to persevering through systemic harm; however, there has been a critique of resilience as not good enough, as it places the burden on the individual(s) experiencing harm, rather than on fixing broken systems that are causing the harm. This paradox invites us to look inward: In what ways do we metaphorically “grin” (knowingly or unknowingly)? Are we creating conditions that make it possible to drop stoic armor and be in true connection with each other? And further, if conditions are presented, are we taking those opportunities to drop our own armor and lean into vulnerability and trust?