…..in small town America and big city America. There is also tremendous division among Americans as to who can talk about it and who cannot. Such is the case when Jason Aldean, a terrific CW entertainer, released his video featuring the obvious. Pack mentality, with the accompanying violence that thrives in the under policed urban population doesn’t gain traction in rural America. Rural folks constitute about 20% of Americans while urban folks constitute the rest. Aldean’s message is clear, don’t bring your riotous behavior to the country, as we aren’t likely to turn the other cheek. We enjoy our peace, and value our neighborhoods and our neighbors. Walking our dogs on the town square after dark on a summer evening doesn’t present the threat such activity does in the big cities. Jason Aldean’s reward for pointing out the obvious? He has been labeled a racist, accused of promoting gun violence, accused of being pro-lynching, taken off of CMT, and harpooned by social media torpedoes. Interesting…and pure bull-squirt.
Jason Aldean suggests that sucker punching someone on a sidewalk, carjacking an old lady at a red light or pulling a gun on the owner of a liquor store will all be met with a response not favorable to the actor if these things occur in a small town. He suggests that rural Americans are loathe to spit in a cops face, stomp on the flag or have our guns gathered up by the government. Heady stuff, and any casual watcher of the 6 o’clock news knows these occurrences are de-rigor for urban life. Racist? No, he suggests nothing about color being a consideration, instead focusing on behavior. Yet he is being castigated for promoting the peace and tranquility small towns love.
Consider the alternative. No one is complaining about the violence being promoted in the vulgarest of terms by the various rap artists who flood the airwaves with their race baiting, woman demeaning, anti-police work. Their music is commonly labeled “Porno Rap”, “Sex Rap” or “Booty Rap”. Lyrics featuring lines such as “your chop suey ass will be a target” exist in this “artistic” form of expression. A rap song was released that offered the following tribute to one of the 9-11 hijackers, “I worship the prophet/the great Mohammed Omar Atta for his courage behind the wheel of the airplane……” Where was the outcry when this blatant violence inciting rhetoric was memorialized in what has loosely been described as music? Google the lyrics for rap music and be prepared to be shocked. Nothing is off limits. Dehumanizing filth permeates this form of music. The difference is Jason Aldean wears a straw hat, plays a guitar and loves America, therefore he must be a racist.
Jason Aldean will continue to suffer the consequences for pointing out the differences between the rural and urban centers of our country. I would suggest you take a long hard look before you opine about the meaning of his lyrics. One thing is sure, the 20% of America that resides in or near small towns do so for a reason. You won’t see some hopped up jug head running around town tearing down our flags, referring to our women as female dogs and spitting on our police officers. Somebody will take exception and your conduct and you will not be made to feel welcome. That my friends is the way it is and will always be.
You can bet on it.
SR
srj641 