Is Common Controversial? We Think Not

May 10th, 2011 - By TheEditor

"common"

by R. Asmerom

Is Common controversial? That’s what Radar Online believes. Common will be at the White House tomorrow for poetry night, hosted by Michelle Obama, and Radar Online questioned the decision to have Common represent for the festivities, deeming that some of his lyrics are considered too politically controversial.

“In this this 2007 passage, the rapper (who dated Serena Williams last year) urges his fan base to “Burn a Bush: With that happening, why they messing with Saddam? Burn a Bush cos’ for peace he no push no button, killing over oil and grease, no weapons of destruction, how can we follow a leader, when this a corrupt one?”

Many Black hip-hop fans wouldn’t consider Common to be controversial at all. Instead, the one c-word that fans would use to describe him is conscious. In fact, he’s one of the few conscious rappers on the scene today – a scene that used to be filled by the likes of Public Enemy, KRS One and Tupac (part-time).

Why is it that thoughtful criticism has to be labeled controversial? Using such a loaded word to sum up the intentions of an activist is dangerous because it implies that political criticism is unpatriotic and insulting. Common has gotten into hot water before for his pro-black sentiments and the fact that he’s not limited to talking about designer labels, bling, and groupies will continue to make him a target amongst conservative audiences, ironically enough. As we all know, keeping it dumb and empty gets you further in the entertainment world.

As one of the few people in the rap game who balances capitalist interests with that of political and social commentary, we think Common is the perfect choice for tomorrow night’s White House event. Obviously, the Obamas respect his work too.

 

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  • William Mork

    An adherent of Jeremiah Wright who exalts the killing of law enforcement officials and the burning of a U.S. President–words left out of Asmeron's article–isn't just controversial. He's evil. It is a slap in the face to all who uphold the law of the land that the Obamas should even think of hosting someone like Common. Is President Obama the same one who, after the shooting in Tucson, lectured America about the importance of civility in our political discourse? How, in any way, does hosting a gangster rapper like Common back up what our president said in Tucson?

    • Semi Seku

      Everytime he invites or know someone or even have anything to do with them now or early on in his life y'all critizice the President just because he is black and don't want to blatenly admit it… we have stood by and had all the white racism play out throught our entire lives and y'all want to say freedom of speech is controversial! get a grip or just crawl under your always best at everything and know everthing and sit there and reflect… If he would have had Charlie Sheen in attendance will you be mad or even speak on it.

      He is our President and y'all need to show some respect, out of all the dumb things that Bush has said and done, y'all allowed and agreed on everthing he did. so shut up because Common is not a gangsta rapper so you don't know sh*t about rappers because Common would have never made it out of your mouth as being a Gangsta rapper… always have something to say and then think you know all you need to know about black people take a damn class…

      • William Mork

        To say that I criticize the President because he is black is absurd, Semi. It would be just as absurd for me to assume that you are black because your spelling and punctuation are so poor. There are good and bad writers of all colors, just as there are people of all colors who make wise and unwise decisions. The fact is, you don't know what color I am. And I have no intention of telling you. It doesn't matter. Right and wrong know no color.

        I criticize people of any color when they make foolish decisions. And I applaud people of any color for making wise decisions. There are police officers all over this nation who, no matter what color they are, see the Obamas' decision of inviting Common to the White House as an offensive act due to Common's celebration of cop-killing in his lyrics. If a black police officer has a problem with Common giving a poetry reading at the invitation of the President, I would hope you'd be smart enough to see that it's because that officer recognizes that Common should not be judged by the color of his skin, but rather–as Dr. King so eloquently stated–by the content of his character. Common's character is sorely lacking, as is the character of anyone who condones the killing of public servants.

      • http://meckajoy.blogspot.com/ Mecka JOy

        I agree!!!

  • http://www.facebook.com/pages/FreedomInk/190311864330967 Katandra Jackson

    I wish that i could be in attendence. I love to hear him read/speak. Controversial? That's usually the way of truth. Great piece R. Asmerom. my own ebook of poetry A ROOM OF HER OWN is at amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004WOWBQQ . preview THE DIARY OF A BRIDE TO BE http://soontobemrstaylor.blogspot.com/ . Currently seeking representation for a new title ANGEL EYES: A COLLECTIVE MEMOIR OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE { http://angleyes-breakthesilence.blogspot.com/ }
    #supportemergingauthors AUTHOR PAGE VIA FACEBOOK—–> http://www.facebook.com/pages/FreedomInk/19031186…