25 | PUP SUN I T E .ORG controversy as U.S. troops prepared to invade Iraq. For what it is worth, the Dixie Chicks, who due to present-day concerns for racial reconciliation have renamed themselves simply the “Chicks,” protested President Bush’s leadership. While on stage in London, one member stated, “We do not want this war, this violence, and we’re ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas.” Apparently, they were swayed by their perception of anti-American sentiment while traveling Europe. Despite the group’s stand, one member proclaimed, “I love my country. I am a proud American.” Later, she apologized to President Bush, but eventually rescinded her apology. Not surprisingly, President Bush responded, “The Dixie Chicks are free to speak their mind.” He continued, “I want to do what I think is right for American people…That’s the great thing about America. It stands in stark contrast to Iraq, by the way.” This entire incident raised questions about freedom of speech and its implications. In the face of death threats and widespread censorship, the singing group was called “hillbilly Jane Fondas” by many, a reference to Fonda’s visit to Hanoi in the midst of the Vietnam War. Some country music critics derided the group’s attack upon President Bush, saying that it was a direct attack upon our president, our values and patriotism as well as upon country music audiences across the nation. Country music never seemed to welcome them back. On the other hand, country music artist Kix Brooks and a few of his song writing friends joined together on his farm in Tennessee talking about how much they loved America. Brooks, reveling in the moment, said, “Man, we’ve got to write this thing.” “Only in America” flowed easily from that session. Brooks and Ronnie Dunn recorded it and, with their permission “Only in America” became President Bush’s theme song for his 2004 re-election campaign. Obviously, excited and flattered, Brooks said, “It was never meant to be political; it was patriotic, no partisan.” The overall universal message of “Only in America” follows previous themes of hopes and dreams. This song will be sung for a long time and, in keeping with Brooks’ insistence it is non-partisan, has been used by both Democrats and Republicans. At the conclusion of the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Barrack Obama and his family stood on stage before the audience, clasping hands with “Only in America” reverberating throughout. From Bush to Obama, this song celebrates competing visions for our country’s future where every moment of harmony counts. As Jon Meacham wrote in Songs of America : Patriotism, Protest, and the Music that made a Nation, if we share patriotic music of America in today’s divisive age, we just might “shout in anger a little less and sing unity a bit more. Or so we can hope.” The songs of America are not completed. More notes are still to be played. “Let us lift every voice and sing.” Sun comin’ up over New York City School bus driver in a traffic jam Staring out at the faces in a rearview mirror Lookin’ at the promise of the Promised Land One kid dreams of fame and fortune One could end up going to prison One just might be president Only in America Dreamin’ in red white and blue Only in America Where we dream as big as we want to We all get a chance Everybody gets to dance Only in America communitythoughts
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