Tennessee State Rep says Jason Aldean song normalizes ‘racist violence’: ‘Lynching anthem’

[ad_1]

Tennessee State Rep. Justin Jones called out country star Jason Aldean, describing his song “Try that in a Small Town” as a “lynching anthem.”

Jones joined CNN’s Kaitlan Collins on Wednesday and said the song should be doomed.

“This song is about the normalization of racist violence, vigilanteism and white national nationalism. And it’s glorifying a advancing south that we’re trying to move forward in Tennessee,” Jones said. “It’s a lynching anthem.”

“It’s something we have to condemn because if we normalize this racist and violent rhetoric, then we normalize racist and violent actions. We can’t allow that. Because we see what’s happening in this country, I was kicked out for challenging gun violence. This song is about this proliferation of guns in our communities, violence, taking things into our own hands when we feel threatened or people feel different from us. It’s shameful and we must condemn it,” he continued.

Tennessee State Rep. Justin Jones joined CNN’s Kaitlan Collins on Wednesday to discuss Jason Aldean’s song “Try that in a Small Town.” (Screenshot/CNN)

EXPELLED TENNESSEE DEMOCRAT BLAME WHITE SUPREMACIST SYSTEM FOR BEING REMOVED FROM HOME HEADQUARTERS

Jones was kicked out of the legislature in April after participating in an upstairs anti-gun control protest at the Tennessee House. He was reinstated about a week after his expulsion.

He said the song normalized “gun extremism”.

“It’s not about bringing us together, it’s about lifting the division and the fear of the neighbor. It’s not about caring for each other. It’s very shameful that he’s close to offering in light of what we’ve seen this year. In Maury County where he performed the song, last week, the KKK left flyers in front of black churches. condemn this,” he said.

“Our vision is of a new south, a south where we care for each other, where we uplift the beloved community. Where we uplift a community where our children are protected, not guns. So this song is about promoting violence, normalizing violence, especially white vigilante violence, and Jason Aldean should be ashamed of himself for promoting a song that seeks our darkest history instead of our best angel,” Jones continued.

Jason Aldean performs at the 2022 CMT Music Awards at Nashville Municipal Auditorium on April 11, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. ((Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for CMT))

JASON ALDEAN’S LITTLE TOWN VIDEO CUT BY CMT, SKYROCKETS SONG AT NUMBER 1 AMID INFRINGEMENT

Aldean hit back at criticism of his song on Wednesday in a social media post.

“In the past 24 hours I have been accused of releasing a pro-lynching song (a song that has been released since May) and made the subject of the comparison that I (direct quote) was not too happy with the nationwide BLM protests,” Aldean wrote. “These references are not only baseless, but dangerous.”

“There isn’t a single lyric in the song that references or points to race – and there isn’t a single music video that isn’t actual news footage – and while I may try to respect others for having their own take on a song with music – this one takes it too far,” he continued.

Jason Aldean has defended his song, “Try That In A Small Town,” which has been out since May, against critics after the video was released last week. (Jason Kempin)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

At a concert on Friday, Aldean again addressed the accusations and praised America.

“Here’s the thing,” he said. “I feel like everyone is entitled to their opinion,” he said. “You can think of anything as much as you want; doesn’t mean it’s true, does it?

“What I am is a proud American. I’m proud to be from here. I love our country. I want to see it go back to what it was before all this bullshit started happening to us,” he continued. “I love my country, I love my family and I will do anything to protect what I can tell you now.”

Hanna Panreck is an associate editor at Fox News.

[ad_2]