This verse talks about the hypocrisy that exists in the Southern United States today. Yet the Ku Klux Klan, which is primarily based in the South, burns crosses, a symbol of Christianity, and kills people of minority groups, going against the teachings of Christianity. This verse is repeated later in the song to make the point of the hypocrisy that exists clear. This verse deals with the prejudicial attitudes towards black people that the Southern people carry today from the time of slavery. This verse shows how absurd it is to have a hateful attitude towards someone because of the colour of their skin.
History has a way of evoking strong emotions in people.
People look back at history and the injustices that states, races and cultures have had to endure and feel sympathetic for them, and at the same time feel antagonistic towards the oppressors. However, much of the injustice done towards certain groups of people remains hidden because history is often written by the oppressor, not those being oppressed. Neil Young, in Cortez The Killer , Pocahontas and Southern Man , has successfully brought to light the historical injustices that have been done to the Native North Americans and the black Americans. Young has brought these issues to the masses by introducing them into popular culture. Had he not, these struggles might have gone unnoticed by the populous.