"Don't Mess Up the Children (Interlude)" is a song by Lupe Fiasco, released as the 14th track from his seventh studio album, Drogas Wave (2018). It is spoken by Dr. Nolan Shaw, who discuses the issue of youth who grow up with lack of parental figures or teachers. This can lead to detrimental effects, such as not learning proper etiquette or socialization with adults and peers.
Lyrics[]
[Interlude: Dr. Nolan Shaw]
Adults are responsible for teaching children how to observe the ways of their ancestors. In fact, God insists that adults talk to their children when they sit at home and when they walk along the road. When they lie down, and when they get up. In other words, God is saying, "Don't mess up the children". African-American families are being driven further and further apart from each other, to the extent their children, particularly those living in urban neighborhoods, are growing up without the benefit of having adults in whom they can confide. Consequently, African-American cultural values are at risk of being lost, like teaching children to respect their elders and saying "thank you" or "no thank you" and other forms of common courtesy. God is saying, "Don't mess up the children"