The new video for the country singer Jason Aldean’s song “Try That in a Small Town” takes place outside a courthouse in Tennessee where, nearly a century ago, an 18-year-old Black man was attacked by a mob and lynched.
Mr. Aldean was criticized after releasing the video, which included violent news footage of looting and unrest during protests in American cities.
Country Music Television pulled the video this week after accusations surfaced on social media that its lyrics and message were offensive.
“I think there is a lack of sensitivity using that courthouse as a prop,” said Cheryl L. Keyes, chair of the department of African American studies and a professor of ethnomusicology at U.C.L.A.
The teenager who was lynched, Henry Choate, had traveled from his home in Coffee County, Tenn., where he worked in road construction, to visit his grandfather in nearby Maury County on Nov. 11, 1927 — Armistice Day, as it was known at the time, or Veterans Day today.
Persons:
Jason Aldean’s, Aldean, ”, Cheryl L, Keyes, Henry Choate
Organizations:
Country Music Television
Locations:
Tennessee, U.C.L.A, Coffee County, Tenn, Maury County