Recorded before the end of the Vietnam War, Bill Withers still chose to perform 'I Can't Write Left-Handed' at his show at Carnegie Hall in 1972 (the album of the performance is still in print) even though the war was over. Written from the perspective of a soldier whose right arm was blown off, 'I Can't Write Left-Handed' chooses to make a micro-level analysis of war rather than attacking the war itself. Instead of taking the route chosen by Marvin Gaye -- calling for each man to love his brother -- Withers points out the evils of war by having his character try to help get his younger brother a deferment.

It's those details that make the song personal and touching. The conclusions Withers reaches seem simple, but they are really quite illustrative. He makes clear the anonymity of soldiers, emphasizing the combatants mutual lack of personal stake and presence of a predetermined enemy in battle. 'I Can't Write Left-Handed' describes war at its most basic - yet complex - level: young men pitted against each other to serve the interests of suits who will never see battle. Thirty-two years later, has anything changed?

About the Author

Bomani Jones is certified BV blogger that you can find everyday all day at For Myself & Others, The Blog.