New Jersey Police Join Protest
Over Common’s
White House Invite,
Union Takes Issue With
“A Song For Assata”
Wednesday May 11, 2011 – by Leslie Pitterson
The uproar over Common’s invite to perform at the White House’s poetry celebration continues. But this time the rapper isn’t just hearing it from the right-wing folks at Fox News.
Common’s latest critics are from the union representing the New Jersey State Police. The police union is taking issue with the socially conscious rapper known for his pursuits in acting and philanthropy as well. Unlike Fox’s broad brush condemnation of Common as “vile”, union representatives are criticizing First Lady Michelle extending Common an invite because of one song in particular: “A Song For Assata.”
The song appeared on Common’s album, “Like Water for Chocolate” and featured singer Cee-Lo Green. It is an ode to former Black Panther Assata Shakur, who in 1973 was sent to prison after being convicted of killing a New Jersey State trooper. Common’s White House invites comes the same week as thousands of police officers from across the country make their way to the National Law Enforcement Memorial to honor their fallen comrades.
Shakur, who is the step-aunt of the late Tupac Shakur, has always claimed she is not a criminal nor has ever been, saying only that she was “was pulled over by the New Jersey State Police, shot twice and then charged with murder of a police officer.” Assata’s supporters cite the fact that she was acquitted three times before her conviction as evidence of that the justice system put an innocent woman behind bars.
In “A Song For Assata,” Common raps:
Assata had been convicted of a murder she couldna done
Medical evidence shown she couldna shot the gun
It’s time for her to see the sun from the other side
Time for her daughter to be by her mother’s side
Time for this Beautiful Woman to become soft again
Time for her to breathe, and not be told how or when
She untangled the chains and escaped the pain
Shakur (born Joanne Chesimard) escaped from the maximum security wing of the Clinton Correctional Facility for Women in 1979 and fled to Cuba, where she is now lives in asylum.
David Jones, president of the State Troopers Fraternal Association union told NBC New York of Common’s “A Song For Assata”:
“The young people who read this stuff, hear this stuff, are getting a very dangerous and deadly message.”
What’s your take on the New Jersey Police Union’s opposition to Common’s White House invite? Share your thoughts!
__________________________
Common Kings Barack,
Performs At White House Poetry Night
Amidst Controversy
Common has performed in front of audiences around the world for years, but last night when the rapper entered the “People’s House” it felt like every eye in the country was on him. And after days of controversy surrounding his invite to the White House celebration of poetry and prose, the Chicago rapper responded to the critics by doing what he does best: speaking through his flow.
Taking the stage in a beige suit, Common respectfully started simply with, “Thank you and God bless. I appreciate being here,” and then began his poem.
“I woke up with the sunshine. A sunshine I had never seen.
There was light at the end of it. Reminded me to forever dream.
I was dreaming I walked into the White House. With love on my sleeve.
And love for each and every one of you. Reminding you to believe. These are the words of a believer achiever.
Leader of the globe, feed the souls of those in need.
I bleed the blood of the struggle. Walking over troubled puddles.
The hustle is in my chest. No hustle no progress.
Extremities of life in this process. The birth of a son.
The death of another. With love I caress both mothers.
And told ‘em whose in control is the one that’s above is.
I walk where money talks and love stutters.
The body language of a nation. Going though changes. The young become dangerous.
Spent into anger. Anger gets sent through the chamber.
It’s tough when your own look like strangers. We are the sons of gangsters and stone rangers. If he could how would Ernie Barnes paint us?
Look at the picture. It’s hard not to blame us.
But time forgives in the shy where the young die often. Do they end up in a coffin because we haven’t taught them?
Is it what we talkin’, we really ain’t walking. Dudes, hustlers, paid. How much did it cost them?
I find myself on the same corner that we lost them. Real talkin’ in their ear like a walkman.
My thoughts been around the corner to the world. So when I see them I see my baby girl.
The Lord lives among us. The youngest hunger, recover.
Means to get it by anyways necessary under pressure. Children feeling lesser with the spill upon the dresser.
Killer, willer aggressors. Destiny’s children, survivors, soldiers.
In front of buildings their eyes look older. It’s hard to see blessings in a violent culture.
Face against rappings. Sirens holsters – that ‘aint the way that Langston Hughes wrote us.
So controllers on the shoulders of Moses. And Noah. We go from being precious to Oprah.
Cultivated to overcome. Ever since we came over.
Seize the day in the way that you can see the determined. The soul that keeps burning. Shorty’s know to keep learning. Lessons in my life are like stripes that we earning.
I took Grant’s advice that Christ is returning. Like a thief in the night. I write for beacons of light.
For those of us in dark alleys and park valleys. Street hits spark valleys of the conscience. Conquerors of a contest . Even the unseen know that God watches.
For one King’s dream he was able to Barack us.
One King’s dream he was able to Barack us.
One King’s dream he was able to Barack us.”
Well done, Common. Well Done.
__________________________
President Obama & Poets
at the White House
May 11, 2011 | 44:55 | Public Domain
President Obama speaks and is joined by renowned poets reciting their work for a celebration of poetry at the White House.
Musical performances may be excluded from on-demand video due to licensing and intellectual property limitations.