Cops protest against Common’s White House visit
May 12th, 2011 - 2:36 am ICT by Aishwarya BhattNew Jersey, May 11 (THAINDIAN NEWS) The New Jersey State Police have taken exception to Common’s visit to the White House. The singer is part of the group of guests who have been invited to the White House for the celebration of American poetry.
The President of the State Troopers Fraternal Association Union, David Jones, in an interview with NBC New York said based on the words on the track “A Song for Assata,” Common should not be celebrated as a role model. According to Jones, Common’s lyrics in that song is dangerous to young people who might hear it.
Jones said that, “The young people who read this stuff, hear this stuff, are getting a very dangerous and deadly message”.
The song praises American fugitive Joanne Chesimard (Assata Shakur) who is accused of killing a New Jersey police officer in 1973. Assata escaped to Cuba in 1979 where she has been given political asylum. She is still wanted in the United States and a reward of $1 million has been placed on her head.
The White House’s celebration of American poetry will be hosted by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. Other guests like Aimee Mann, Elizabeth Alexander, Jill Scott and Bill Collins are all expected to be at the ceremony.
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Tags: aimee mann, american poetry, assata shakur, barack obama, celebration, cops, elizabeth alexander, first lady, jersey police, jersey state police, jill scott, joanne chesimard, michelle obama, nbc, new jersey state police, police officer, political asylum, role model, state troopers fraternal association, white house