Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit - White Man's World

[jadbalja]

This is a really gutsy topic, especially since I imagine there will be a lot of older country music fans that will not like this song one bit. But it's the truth, cold and straight; we al need to have the stomach and the resolve to deal with it. For his daughter. For my daughters. For all our daughters. That's the heart of he American can-do spirit that's sadly lacking now; kudos to Jason for keeping it alive.

[martinmcgann]

I've followed Isbell from his Truckers days, watched him in a tiny venue in Manchester in his early solo days and now this.He is clearly a world class major artist and just gets better.

[onmygrind]

I'm Black. I've listen to this song over and over trying to understand the LYRICS. At the end of the day, I love the song and the message it sends. Just because you're White doesn't mean you're responsible for the actions of people who share your skin color, and same goes for Blacks and any other ethnicity. This speaks volumes of his character. He isn't showing or speaking hate into existence. Can't say the same for most of those in the comments..

Funny thing is, I've never even heard of him. I misspelled "White Manz World" by 2Pac/Makaveli and stumbled upon this an hour ago. I was trying to hear the outro where 2Pac mentioned several Black Panther Members or Black Revolutionaries (I was particularly interested in Sekou Odinga) and because I typed an S instead of a Z, I opened my ears to a new artist. Might just be the one song, I might like his catalog. But I like this message.

[billyrose]

Mr. Isbell you’ve gain a new fan with your carefully crafted thought provoking lyrics . Well done sir

[SSANTAROZA]

This guy is one of the greatest! Much love from Brazil! Keep it goin', Jason!

[josephbadams]

There's slow Isbell, harder Isbell, soft Isbell, rough-edged Isbell, soulful Isbell...

But there ain't no such thing as bad Jason Isbell.

What a talent.

[shamea_SC_cortes]

As a young Black woman who enjoys all music, I respect this and can tell this wasn't easy to write, but seriously this is how we make America great again, by confronting our fears, especially the racial tensions. You have gained a new fan with this message, thank you, Jason Isbell.

[Genericthegreat]

I think this song follows the golden rule, write what you know. He knows and externally conflicts with the reality. There a reason the more your educated the less bigoted, more introspective, and higher level of critical thought. He said that this song won't change the world. It was something he had to get off his mind. I'm white. I Don't have white guilt. My significant other is black and we have a mixed kid. I do not feel guilt about white people. I feel shame In the way people behave and the status quo and maybe that's what he's feeling too.

[jonbrock]

I get shivers every time I hear the "I wish I was in Dixie" callback in this song and how he completey changes its meaning to fit the song.

[TimmyEatsWorld]

The best thing about being a fan of Jason right now is that you're getting to hear somebody at his absolute creative peak. I missed out seeing seing Dylan in the 60s, the Band in the mid 70s, Springsteen in 1980. But in 2017, I get to see Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit.

[timmysaurus]

Jason Isbell is profoundly in touch with his humanity. Mad props to him for being willing to express it.

[EmInMI]

I see a lot of people writing this song off as "white guilt." I hear it as a lament - a lament of being a part of broken system. And anyhow, what's so bad about feeling guilt for injustice, both past and present? Guilt can motivate people to change and to organize for change. Acknowledging it is better than denying it or celebrating it.

[buckleybarratt]

God damn this is good!!! Can't wait for the full album!

[mcapps]

Thank you Trae Crowder for exposing me to Jason Isbell's music!

[MorseProductionsUSA]

An interesting quote from Jason about this song that changed my perspective of it after a second glance: "I think that song deals with how to come to terms with things you have no control over. It's about sympathizing with other cultural groups without feeling ashamed of something that I can't control. It's a fine line, it's a difficult thing, you know. So I try to find how do I help, how do I make us all more equal, if at all possible? And that's what I'm trying to do with that song and a lot of the work that I do."

[stevemorgan]

Minnesota resident. This song communicates my feelings pretty well right now.

[dirkbender]

Here to mention we performed this in a church service a few years back, soon after this album/song's release.
The lyrics never get any easier to listen to but so many (still) need to hear them.

(Jason came up in Twitter conversation from someone who said "is it weird that I follow him but haven't heard any of his music?" and I thought this might be a good introduction.)

[foshenthepanhandlechampion]

I found this song through TUPAC. Funny how even after his death he’s still helping us run across diamonds 💎 like this. Long live the king in TUPAC and this newly discovered gentleman as well 💪🏾

[CliffHawleyVermfly]

Crushing it. I hadn't heard your music before and I was missing out. This is a great song.

[joshgilliam]

I'm so freaking happy this record is so much more rock and roll. it was perfect timing to bring the noise.