Jason Aldean: Try That in A Small Town

Had I not found out about this song and video by two columnists-Kathryn Jean Lopez and Clerance Page-I would not have gone on YouTube to watch it for myself to find out what the big deal was. Ms. Lopez commented on agreeing with most of the sentiments expressed by Jason Aldean about the crime committed in big cities but also recognized that one line about "Good 'ol Boys" being raised up right as being problematic and compared it to John Mellencamp's more celebratory song "Small Town". Clerance Page was more concerned that the song served "to stoke tribal anger, fears, resentments, and suspicions more than appeal to reason." Then there's this letter writer's concern after reading Ms. Lopez' column-"I think we are all upset by urban crime. The problem I have with the song is it implies small towns don't have this problem because the men of small towns wouldn't let it happen." Then she continues in the next paragraph-"There was a time when vigilantes were the law enforcement in small towns. There were lynchings in small towns. Angry people were satisfied with that brand of law and order. However angry we are about urban crime, let's not go there." She was also happy that CMT-Country Music Television-doesn't air it because of the polarizing images it shows. Me, it's quite effective in the message it's portraying but I agree with Ms. Lopez and Page that it doesn't inspire but fuels the flame, so to speak.