Grammy Award Winner Common’s invite to the White House Sparks Controversy

Two time Grammy Award winner Common’s, invitation to the White House for an “Evening of Poetry” was met with controversy from Conservatives and others who stated that the White House should not be hosting a rapper who is “vile” and quite controversial.  Common, whose real name is Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr, is known for his ” conscious rap.”

Critics like Sean Hannity said that his lyrics promoted cop killing and violence toward the president.  Reference was made to the poem “Letter to the Law,”  that Common performed back in 2007 on Russell Simmons HBO’s Def Poetry Jam in which he blasted President George W. Bush.  (who hasn’t?) but isn’t that what poetry is all about- self expression?

“Burn a Bush ’cause for peace he no push no button, killing over oil & grease no weapons of destruction…”

White House press secretary Jay Carney stated that although the president doesn’t support the kind of lyrics that have been raised here, some of these reports distort what Mr. Lynn [Common] stands for more broadly.  ”One of the things the president appreciates is the work Mr. Lynn has done with children, especially trying to get them to focus on poetry as opposed to some of the negative influences of life on the streets,” he said.

In message posted on his Facebook page, Common fired back, writing “Politics is politics and everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I respect that. The one thing that shouldn’t be questioned is my support for the police officers and troops that protect us every day. Peace yall!”

Heres the clip of Common’s performance- we’ll let you decide.