In addition to being one of the best blues performers of all time, B.B. King was a strong advocate for civil rights. The hardships and tribulations that African Americans in the US endured during segregation were frequently mirrored in his music. His interactions with law enforcement were one area of his life that had a significant impact on him, especially during a time when racial profiling and discrimination were pervasive.

Imagine carrying your heart in your hands rather than in your chest as you stroll down the street. Every time someone from a different group stops you for no other reason than the color of your skin or looks at you suspiciously, it's like slowly giving them your heart. B.B. King's feelings during his interactions with white police officers are reflected in this metaphor.

King had innumerable instances where he was stopped and interrogated based only on his identity. He was unable to articulate at the time how damaging these experiences were. These emotions were a silent burden that weighed heavily on his soul, and he frequently kept them bottled up inside. He felt empty and hollow, as though someone had reached into his chest and extracted all of his feelings.

Such interactions caused emotional and psychological harm in addition to physical harm. Following these encounters, King talked about feeling unclean and less than human. One of the most harmful consequences of racial discrimination is this feeling of dehumanization. It erodes a person's confidence in themselves and their position in society, chipping away at their sense of self-worth.

B.B. King attempted to express his anguish and annoyance during those difficult times via his music. In addition to expressing his own experiences, his songs also spoke for millions of African Americans who endured comparable hardships and injustices.

B.B. King's thoughts on these experiences essentially draw attention to the severe wounds caused by systemic racism and how it impacts people's sense of identity and value. He wanted to raise awareness of this problem and spur change by sharing his story.