No I didn't watch his video. I prejudged him. I don't know who he is. But I felt equally bothered by Ice Ts bodycount PR situation. IMO copy killing it is off the charts of free expresssion.
What I don't like about JS logical argument is the same thing I don't like about Noam Chomskys excessive logical argument. Chomsky argues that since the US invaded Iraq because they invaded Kuwait why wouldn't they save country X that invaded country Y in 1972 or 19xx. Misisng the point that matters are arbitrary and some places hold more 'strategic importance' than others. In a similar manner in that some guests are bound to stir controversy. Is this wrong, yes. In his show JS continually uses logic of arguments to solve policy matters when we all relly know some countries are more important than others just like a CEO is of more importance to an electoral win than a street sweeper.
That fact is that Common is a controversial person and if I worked in Law enforcement in the US I would have doubts as to whether or not that administration really respected the work that people do. Which I might add, can be dangerous and stressfull and thankless. Unlike rapping, which according to MTV will get you in the hottub with many supermodels.
Let's set some facts straight:
1. Common is not in and of himself a "controversial person". I don't believe that he is a controversial rapper per se, either. As a matter of fact, he is widely regarded and critically acclaimed as writing "concious" lyrics, has rapped for decades about what he sees the negative turn mainstream hip hop has taken, against gang violence, and has raised awareness for various humanitarian causes. To say that Common is a controversial person outside this "issue" about his song about Assante Shakur is just not true at all.
2. Common rapped about a highly controversial conviction surrounded by some truly bizarre politically charged times, the details of which have been disputed and debated endlessly, and even officers who were involved in the situation admitted under oath to have lied. She was beaten repeatedly while in custody. He reiterates these facts in the song and states his opinion on it. I believe Common has the right to state his opinion on her in the course of a work of art (his music) as have countless other artists, politicians who voted against her extradition, law professors who have cited the circumstances of her trials in discussing the constitutionality of police/prosecution behavior in legal studies, etc etc. NONE of these people need be barred from the White House for engaging in discussing this controversial figure.
3. Neither Jon Stewart NOR Common advocate the killing of police officers. He is on record stating: "The one thing that shouldn't be questioned is my support for the police officers and troops that protect us every day."
4. Finally it is no more "strategically important" for a US president to invite a rock singer (ie Bono, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen) who sings about what they believe to be wrongful convictions than it is for him to invite a rapper who does similar, unless we are to conclude that said rock singers are more "strategically important" than said rappers.
Love him!! That was hilarious. He ate him for dinner!
