I advise anyone who is trying to figure out lyrics to listen half speed before jumping to conclusions. Another good trick is to watch some live video of the song and actually read their lips. Not always correct, as they sometimes change lyrics live, but useful. An example. The lyric is definitely "Some of those that work forces, are the same that burn crosses". Live, he sometimes says "Some of those that burn crosses, are the same that hold office". "Wearing the (also "a" and "you're") badge and you've chosen white". "Wearing a badge and you're clothed in white".
My interpretation... be wary of authority. It can be immoral. Bigots can be anywhere. In political office, in the fire and police departments, schools, etc. Wearing a badge, of course, denotes authority (police, FBI, DEA, whatever). Clothed in white alludes to the cross-burning Ku Klux Klan. Chosen white is a metaphor for choosing the "good guys" or societal norms. Engaging in bigotry because you embrace the laws and rules which are inherently bigoted, without questioning their morality. The protagonist announces he can see through the deception. He's enlightened, and disagrees with the injustice he sees. He's going to play by his own rules.
I advise anyone who is trying to figure out lyrics to listen half speed before jumping to conclusions. Another good trick is to watch some live video of the song and actually read their lips. Not always correct, as they sometimes change lyrics live, but useful. An example. The lyric is definitely "Some of those that work forces, are the same that burn crosses". Live, he sometimes says "Some of those that burn crosses, are the same that hold office". "Wearing the (also "a" and "you're") badge and you've chosen white". "Wearing a badge and you're clothed in white".
My interpretation... be wary of authority. It can be immoral. Bigots can be anywhere. In political office, in the fire and police departments, schools, etc. Wearing a badge, of course, denotes authority (police, FBI, DEA, whatever). Clothed in white alludes to the cross-burning Ku Klux Klan. Chosen white is a metaphor for choosing the "good guys" or societal norms. Engaging in bigotry because you embrace the laws and rules which are inherently bigoted, without questioning their morality. The protagonist announces he can see through the deception. He's enlightened, and disagrees with the injustice he sees. He's going to play by his own rules.