State Sen. Aric Nesbitt, the Lawton Republican minority leader who wants to be Michigan’s next Republican governor, is in a social media campaign video going full Dukes of Hazzard, flying over a hill on a supercharged tractor with “Freebird” as his theme song.
What came next on this video, obviously, was Nesbitt taking this steroidal tractor through a wall and barely missing a trio who look and talk a lot like his favorite whipping girls, Gov. Whitmer, Democratic gubernatorial frontrunner Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Attorney General Dana Nessel with beverages in their hand. The Michigan Democratic leaders call California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Minnesota Tim Waltz for help, who are depicted as either too busy or too afraid to stay on the line.
More artificial intelligence bedlam ensues.
Eventually, Nesbitt’s Godzilla tractor returns outside and demolishes a green sign reading “property taxes” before mowing down a Hollywood-style “DEI” sign.
I was unbothered by most of the images and content, as Nesbitt and I can meet in the middle. This was politics after all. We both grew up farming and espouse fiscal conservatism.
But bringing “Free Bird” into this political fever dream — well — that was asking for too much grace.
Where I’m from, Lynyrd Skynyrd is not to be played with.
I have an eclectic taste in music. One moment “Milkshake” by Kelis may lead my playlist. The next I may be nodding my head to Aretha Franklin’s “Until You Come Back to Me.” I can spend a perfectly good Saturday listening to Frank Sinatra sing “Fly Me to the Moon” and then let Christopher Cross’ “Sailing” take me away to where I’m going with my dad yacht rock.
“Free Bird” is different.
“Free Bird” is not a song.
It is a constitutional amendment.
It is a state of mind.
It is the unofficial national anthem of every pick-up truck driver, beer joint and backyard grill-out from East Texas to the Virginia Piedmont.
The world stops for every Southern man when he hears Allen Collins’ first note on his legendary Gibson Firebird I guitar. If the man is over 50, and he begins playing air-guitar, you just have to just let him be in the moment.
And now comes Nesbitt, a native Michigander, charging over that hill and running through that building on a souped-up tractor — choking “Free Bird” with a grapeseed.
Sir.
With all due respect. This is the very definition of cultural appropriation. You can visit the Paw Paw Pizza Hut and play “Free Bird” on the juke box as many times as you like, but you can’t take it home with you.
It is a bird you cannot change.
And besides, Michigan is home to other perfectly good options.
Bob Seger.
Ted Nugent.
Take your pick at Motown.
You could have chosen “Against the Wind.” Or “Papa Was a Rolling Stone.”
Nugent would have come with a extra hunting rifle, an outback hat and snakeskin attire.
Instead, you reached across the Mason-Dixon line and root-pulled a crown jewel like some carpetbagging Thanos.
Ronnie Van Zant is looking down from heaven at you and shaking his head in resignation.
Being from Louisiana, I have standing on this issue. I have seen “Free Bird” turn grown men and women into puddles. Arguments stop. Tension subsides. Divorce lawyers are fired. I have heard wiseguys shout, “Play ‘Free Bird’!” to annoy house bands for the sport of it.
Chiefly, I am a son of the South which makes me proud on most days.
If any song belongs to the people, it is “Free Bird.” As a political prop, not so much.
I propose a compromise if Brother Nesbitt wishes to continue this blasphemy:
Maybe then he can be granted a temporary free pass to use “Free Bird.” Until then, please restore balance to our universe, Mr. Thanos Nesbitt. Return this jewel to its rightful owners.
The South has suffered enough.
Byron McCauley is the regional columnist for USA Today Co. Email him at bmccauley@usatodayco.com. Call him on (513) 504-8915.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: ‘Free Bird’ is not a political anthem, it is a state of mind | Opinion
Reporting by Byron McCauley, Holland Sentinel / The Holland Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Byron McCauley, Holland Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
