John Mellencamp decided to write a song and produce a music video about the "Jena 6" while he was working on a new album. This is the statement he released.

I am not a journalist, I am a songwriter and in the spirit and tradition of the minstrel, I am telling a story in this song. The story is not, strictly speaking, about the town of Jena or this specific incident but of racism in America. The song was not written as an indictment of the people of Jena but, rather, as a condemnation of racism, a problem which I've reflected in many songs, a problem that still plagues our country today. The current trial in Jena is just another reflection of prejudice in our nation. If the song strikes an emotional chord with people and if they examine it and interpret as they will, something will have been accomplished. The aim here is not to antagonize but, rather, to catalyze thought. 

Jena, Louisiana. Six black teenagers are accused of beating a white student. The incident followed white students hanging nooses from a tree on school grounds. Initially five of the "Jena Six" teens were charged with attempted 2nd degree murder, to be tried as adults by an all-white jury.

Jena lyrics,

An all white jury hides the executioner's face See how we are, me and you? Everyone here needs to know their place Let's keep this blackbird hidden in the flue Oh oh oh Jena, Oh oh oh Jena, Oh oh oh Jena, take your nooses down So what becomes of boys that cannot think straight. Particularly those with paper bag skin. Yes sir, no sir we'll wipe that smile right off your face. We've got our rules here and you must fit in. Oh oh oh Jena, Oh oh oh Jena, Oh oh oh Jena, take your nooses down. Some day some way sanity will prevail. But who knows when that day might come. A shot in the dark, well it just might find its way to the hearts of those that hold the keys to kingdom come. Oh oh oh Jena, Oh oh oh Jena, Oh oh oh Jena, take those nooses down. Oh oh hey Jena, Oh oh Jena, Oh oh Jena, take your nooses down. Take those nooses all down.