New Jersey Police Join Protest Over Common’s White House Invite, Union Takes Issue With “A Song For Assata”
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!
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The New Jersey State Police are mad because they ‘believe’ she killed a police officer, well I’m mad because I know how many innocent people the NJSP have killed.
So what is the message they are sending by protesting his invitation. Does The freedom of speech in this country only apply to those who comply with the agenda of this country? At the end of the day these officers kill people and wrongfully accuse people on a daily basis, so by protesting they are just saying they are afraid of what we young people are truly capable of and once we realize our power they will have all the reason to be.
“So what is the message they are sending by protesting his invitation. Does The freedom of speech in this country only apply to those who comply with the agenda of this country?”
Umm, yes…I think you hit the nail squarely on the head.
this issue has brought Assata Shakur’s story to my attention. I’d never heard of her before but her story is inspirational. However, in spite of the NJ Police Union’s opinion I am not inspired to kill any cops.
Instead, I am inspired to hear of this woman’s struggle and how she overcame it. Her name stands out to me like the stories of slaves and their other descendents who where wrongly persecuted and overcame it. It teaches me not to give up to injustice and to stand up to what is right, like my ancestors and the black leaders who came before me.
I hate seeing my generation complain about problems and do nothing about it. We need to educate ourselves in our history and know that we can accomplish greater things.
Absolute truth!!!!! :) xx xxx xx
I’m proud of the way you represent your generation…
WHEN will the police acknowledge the wrong against the Panthers? By now EVERYONE should know that most of them were targets of the FBI and police depts. HOW can the police protest when they KNOW they were complicit in the murders of so many Panthers? Ridiculous! If ANYTHING, the White House should be inviting Assata home from Cuba to speak at the White House. THAT seems about fair…
something bout her story ain’t right, I don’t know what but the truth is not being told.
you want me to tell you the truth mami?
@j-philly,
Please do…I’m assuming you were part of it. No?!
you know i was……
The police routinely harass, abuse, and kill people. Especially those of color, so who cares about how they feel? The only ones that I feel sorry for are the ones who died during 9/11, the rest need to step back.
Oh please.
They framed her and other members of the Black Liberation Army with numerous crimes and lied that she shot a police officer. Nope. Medical evidence stated that it was impossible for her to shoot that officer because she raised her hands to surrender and was shot. It’s illegal to shoot a surrenderer while their hands are up.
WORD!!!!
Some entertainers have an uncontrollable habit of trying to convince everyone else that all black thugs who do bad things are innocent and have all been framed by “The Man”. As if their dumb asses would know. Let’s see, its like Ed Asner, Barbara Streisand, Sean Penn and the rest of the dopes convinced that Mumia Abu Jamal didn’t kill Philadelphia Police Officer Daniel Faulkner. Forget about the fact that the bullets in Officer Faulkner came from the gun found at the scene that was registered to Jamal. Forget about the fact that the bullet in Jamal’s gut came from Officer Faulkners gun that was also still at the scene. Forget about the doctor and two nurses in the Emergency Room at the hospital Jamal went to that heard him shout out “I shot the MF’er and I hope he dies”. And the most damning evidence? Your accused of killing a police officer and are facing life imprisonment or death and when asked to give your version of what happened you reply “I have nothing to say” Yeah, I am found at the scene of a murdered police officer, I didn’t do anything, the police arrest me for 1st degree murder and my way out is to say “I have nothing to say”. Yeah, he’s totally innocent just like Joanne Chesmire. Black Panther, cop hater, running with the Weather Underground and the Panthers, talking lots of “revolutionary tough talk”. Gonna do this to the pigs, gonna do that to the pigs, gets caught, then wines about being innocent, set up, has to run to Cuba, can’t see her daughter,not even enough guts to take credit for her work and accept the consequences. They whale crap is the lowest form of life in the universe because its on the bottom of the ocean. These black thugs have a spot just below that. I’m glad they don’t kill them. Their life sucks and it should. Jamal on Death Row for 29 years, Chesmire having to live in “beautiful communist Cuba”. Good for them. Americans are just lined up to renounce their citizenship and move to Cuba but only the ones on an acid trip.
Hustler, you are truly pathetic, cruising a website for black women to spread hatred and ignorance. Get a life and a piece of ass.
Pathetic loser
Sorry Hustler, nice rant, wrong topic. Its Assata Shakur we’re talking about here. Why don’t you go read up on her, then comeback and misrepresent the facts like you’ve so eloquently done on the Mumia case. Thanks :)
The mistrust of the police by the people are warranted when you have them doing everything they can to silent anyone who questions their methods and the justice system. This is a form of censorship they are practising and it should not be tolerated from them.
Whe you believe a lie for so long, it become hard to tell the truth. How many innocent victims have been executed or are still in jail because of the police and prosecutor’s sloppy (and often times – DELIBERATE), abuse of power? When justice fails, sometimes you have to speak up and let God.
The NJPU or conservatives argument is pointless. Prior, I had never heard the song before and was expecting Common’s raps to be forceful, violent or celebratory about killing cops based on all of this controversy. Instead the lyrics were beautiful, poetic, and thoughtful. In no way was he bragging about Assata Shakur killing cops.
Agreed!
THE NERVE OF NEW JERSEY COPS
Never ever in my 52 year have any cop apologize for shooting a unarmed child and adult! The nerve of New Jersey Police to asked for an apologize from the White House! Just because Rapper Common perform poetry at the White House! Are you serious?? This is a profession that have water hose children adult and senior. Just because they where protesting for Civil Rights and equal treatment in America! This is a profession that has handcuffed and shackle 5 year old black female. For acting out in kindergarten! She was then place in a patrol car for five hours! Police officer have taser pregnant women and senior citizen. As old as 72! There crime refusing to sign a ticket! Black males handcuffed and face down shot in the back by cops! Justify in American courtroom! There have been cases of traffic stops by cops . Turning into rape by cops! The Cops beef with the White House is that Common appearance is during Police Memorial Week! Did black Sean Bell get a memorial week? Did 7 year old black Aiyana Jones get a memorial week? Did 92 year old Kathryn Johnston get a memorial week? Did totally innocent Amadou Diallo get a memorial week The young black man came home about midnight on February 4 to his apartment in the Soundview section of the Bronx. As he was going into his doorway, a Ford Taurus pulled up with four burly white men, who turned out to be plainclothes police. Never identifying themselves! Suddenly they began pumping lead into him. The cops had different story! There was no gun, only his keys and his beeper. The cops also said they thought Mr.Diallo wallet was a gun! In the fusillade, they shot at Amadou Diallo 41 times, hitting him with 19 bullets. Many in his dead body many in his feet! They where all found not guilty! So Common never murdered anyone nor beat or raped anyone! As for Sarah ( The QUITTER) Palin. Who care what she thinks? Where the hell was Palin when her 13 year old was having sex in her home! Pregnant at 16! This is the same idiot that couldn’t answer what news paper she read! Then blame the interviewer for her stupidity! This is the same criminal that put cross hair on a District. That later a politician was shot in the head . And 11 American murder!
I commend Common for being such a conscious rapper and being courageous enough to pay homage to such a beautiful and brave Queen, fellow comrade, trailblazer and Sister – Assata Shakur. Praise God and much love! “F” all of the static noise in the background, all of those whom oppose the liberation of our beautiful revolutionaries and fight just as hard to keep us mentally imprisoned with all of this propaganda BS. *Black Power!*
But the NJ police didn’t protest Eazy-E’s invite to the White House under Bush Sr.? Please. He was with a group that made a song “F*ck the Police”.
So they’re just being fake. This is something to just cause Michelle Obama to catch more hate.
POLICE OFFICER IN AMERICA
Across America, daily incidents occur, one of many the cold-blooded January 1, 2009 murder of black Oscar Grant – unarmed, offering no resistance, thrust face-down on the ground, shot in the back, and killed, videotaped on at least four cameras for irrefutable proof. USA Today said five bystanders taped it. His killer: A white Oakland, CA transit officer, Johannes Mehserle, tried for the killing, the jury told to consider four possible verdicts – innocent, second-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, or involuntary manslaughter, jurors deciding the latter. The Legal Dictionary defines it as “The act of unlawfully killing another human being unintentionally,” the absence of intent distinguishing it from voluntary manslaughter. Many states don’t define it or do it vaguely. Wallin & Klarich Violent Crime Attorneys say in California it carries a two – four year sentence. However, since a gun was used, Judge Robert Perry can add three to 10 additional years. Because minority victims seldom get justice, especially against police, Mehserle may serve minimal time, then be paroled quietly when the current furor subsides. After the verdict, it erupted on Oakland streets, hundreds turning out to protest
This has become standard procedure black American citizen march and chant “no justice no peace”! Then blacks wait for the next police beating or shooting of another black American citizen! Most police officers are back to work before the victim is in the ground or out the hospital! The court system has a proven record of not caring. Almost always side with abusive and murdering police officer! A all white jury normally side with police officer.
Professional respectable peace keeper law enforcer. That is what a Police Officer in America should be. They are paid by American taxpayer to Serve and Protect. The first city police services were established in Philadelphia in 1751, Richmond, Virginia in 1807, Boston in 1838, and New York in 1845. The US Secret Service was founded in 1865 and was for some time the main investigative body for the federal government.A Deputy U.S. Marshal covers his fellow officers with an M4 carbine during a “knock-and-announce” procedure. After the civil war, policing became more para-military in character, with the increased use of uniforms and military ranks. Before this, sheriff’s offices had been non-uniformed organizations without a para-military hierarchy.
This is a profession that has been polluted and disrespected by racism police corruption and police brutality! Abuse of authority is a understatement went talking about police in America! White American male Police Officers are the worse abuser of the profession. White male Police Officer will shoot American citizen handcuff and face down in the back, And feel justify! Unarmed and innocent are shot upwards of 41 to 51 times! Amadou Diallo was a 23-year-old innocent Guinean immigrant in New York City who was shot and killed on February 4, 1999 by four white New York City Police Department plain-clothed officers: Sean Carroll, Richard Murphy, Edward Mc Mellon and Kenneth Boss. The four white officers irresponsibly fired a total of 41 rounds. The shooting took place at 1157 Wheeler Avenue in the Soundview section of The Bronx. The four were part of the now-defunct Street Crimes Unit. All four officers were acquitted at trial in Albany, New York. The day after they shot a innocent man. They where caught on camera laughing!
More fearful and more evil then Saddam Hussein , Muammar Gaddafi and Osama bin Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden combine! A white Police officer in America has a proven record of hatred. Especially toward black Americans! A off duty police in a bar has been fatal for many Americans! Police officers in America are fast to pull a gun out on a unarmed American. To settle arguments while off duty! The most shameful is the fact that police officers. That are respectable are professional know of the abuser. AND SAY NOTHING! This makes them as evil and pure cowards! This was proven in the case of the Rodney King incident! Upwards of 26 white officers stood and watch the beating of Rodney King AND DID NOTHING!
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