President Gloria Sweet-Love of the Tennessee chapter of the civil rights organization firmly asserts that Aldean’s tone, message, and imagery are deeply offensive to people of color, particularly Black individuals. The NAACP views the song and its music video as dreadful and racist.
The song’s lyrics alone are seen as problematic, but filming the video in front of the Maury County Courthouse in Columbia, TN, where a Black man was lynched in 1927, further exacerbates the situation. Adding to the distress, Sweet-Love points out that the KKK has recently been active in distributing flyers in that town, creating a hostile environment. Consequently, Aldean’s project is perceived as contributing to the escalation of tension.
According to Sweet-Love, Aldean’s track seemingly promotes racism and violence, a stance that Tennessee, in her view, does not need. Instead, she believes that artists should focus on uniting people and protecting their children and communities from harm.
Despite vehemently denying any promotion of racism or violence in the song, Aldean remains unyielding in his position, asserting that the song merely reflects the community he is familiar with and shares sentiments held by people he knows. Apologies, according to him, are not warranted.
In response to the controversy, CMT has already removed the song and music video from rotation, a move that the Tennessee NAACP chapter appreciates as appropriate considering the circumstances.
Aldean’s song’s impact and the ensuing debates highlight the complexities of music as a form of expression and its potential to evoke strong reactions and controversies related to social issues. As the conversation continues to unfold, artists and the entertainment industry will likely face increased scrutiny and discussions about the responsibility they hold in shaping public discourse and perceptions.
