be sweet on

“The whole ‘stand tall, wear a crown, and be sweet on the inside,’” she said, explaining the pineapple’s significance, “it’s trying to give someone strength when they’re going through something that’s kind of crappy.”

She used to be sweet on Son Black herself, so I reckon she knew what she was talking about when she added, “Son’s right nice-lookin’ and smart, but his mouth sure isn’t any prayer book.

You can buy postcards and prints that read, “Be a pineapple: Stand tall, wear a crown, and be sweet on the inside.”

Inside the warm and homey kitchen, Schillinger has a whiteboard where he writes funny or inspirational messages such as, “Be a pineapple. Stand tall, wear a crown, and be sweet on the inside.”

“Boy, are you stubborn just to be stubborn? Or is there something else to it? You think some other Negro will come live with you? Will you be sweet on her, too?”