This Ain’t No Picnic is a song of frustration. According to Michael Azzeradd’s book [Our Band Could Be Your Life]

Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes from the American Indie Underground 1981-1991 Paperback – July 2, 2002 by Michael Azerrad (Author)

D Boon was working in an auto parts store when he asked his boss if he could listen to a local jazz and soul station on the radio. The boss refused, calling the station “African American excrement” (only in less detailed and more prejorative terms). Boon was appalled and wanted to quit on the spot, but he could not because he needed to have an income at the time.

https://genius.com/Minutemen-this-aint-no-picnic-lyrics