I have a new essay at Salon. It explores the idiocy of the new Jason Aldean song, connecting it to a history of hatred and violence. As I write, however, “In small towns, it is easy to find better politics and music.” John Mellencamp, Bruce Springsteen, Tyler Childers, Rhiannon Giddens, Jason Isbell, and Miranda Lambert provide examples of progressive patriotism, from a small town perspective. Their vision of the provincial is winning, while Aldean’s is becoming more paranoid, estranged, and extreme. Read at Salon.