John Legend and the Roots, Behind the Sessions (Sessions)

AOL: What are some issues that you talk about, that you don't think get enough media attention?

Legend: Well it was interesting, particularly with 'I Can't Write Left Handed,' you know, war is an interesting subject now. 'When I Can't Write Left Handed' was written, war was much more on the top of people's minds. Partly I think, because, the draft was in place, and because of that, there were more people that felt like they were at risk of having to go to Vietnam. Basically the whole country, unless you had the connections to get out of it in some way, or defer in some way. Basically the whole male population, was possibly gonna go to Vietnam. And so, I think that created a lot more angst, and a lot more anger, and a lot more rebellion in the youth community, because any of them could have been called to this war. So, it made them be even more skeptical, of you know, why are we there?

Why are we going over to kill these people that I have no idea what they've done against me or to harm my family, or to harm my country. Why am I going there? And so you know, there was that sentiment. And then when you look at the anti war movement now, I don't think it's ever, in the last ten to twenty years, even though we've been fighting someone almost through out that time, the anti war movement hasn't had that kind of you know, mass appeal, hasn't had that sort of resonance over a long period of time. I think part of it is because, unless you have military over there, unless you have family over there, you don't feel the war. You know, you could go about your business and kind of ignore that it's even happening.

Why are we going over to kill these people that I have no idea what they've done against me or to harm my family, or to harm my country. Why am I going there? And so you know, there was that sentiment. And then when you look at the anti war movement now, I don't think it's ever, in the last ten to twenty years, even though we've been fighting someone almost through out that time, the anti war movement hasn't had that kind of you know, mass appeal, hasn't had that sort of resonance over a long period of time. I think part of it is because, unless you have military over there, unless you have family over there, you don't feel the war. You know, you could go about your business and kind of ignore that it's even happening.

Questlove: Yeah there's more distractions today than there was during the Vietnam period. I actually knew a human being who was in New York -- on Sept 11th, that had absolutely no clue what was going on until 7pm that night ... in New York City. That's just a minuscule example of how you can sort of put blinders on and not even be aware. The type of entertainment that's out, a lot of it is means for an escape ... to a harsh reality. So, this is a very risky record to make, because we're addressing a lot of the issues. A lot of the issues that, thus far, this generation has really, really turned a blind eye to.

-- Tracey Ford