Yeah, It Was Pretty Stupid For Conservatives To Go After Rapper Common

Sometimes, conservatives really do show a habit of stepping in their own way. I mean, after Barry finally releases his full birth certificate for the world to see and the dumb Birther nonsense died down, why would conservatives want to go anywhere near race? Again, there's so much to criticize Barry about regarding his utter fail of a presidency without going there (or even giving people a chance to think you're going there). I mean, Common as the new Rev. Jeremiah Wright? Really?!? C'mon man, do your research.

As a longtime fan of hip-hop, I can safely attest to the fact that Common is not Reverend Wright in any, way, shape or form. So he's "supported" a couple of alleged cop killers in his rhymes--so what? A lot of rappers have and a quick understanding of hip-hop, urban culture and the polemics within the circle would give one a clear reason why. Assata Shakur and Mumia Abu-Jamal have long been propped up by the black liberation movement as politic activists--that's common knowledge, so therefore many young urban youth lean on them, read their works, challenge what they feel are unjust themes, etc. I can imagine that Common, a rapper who really didn't become "political" until midway through his career, switched up his lyrics as an attestment to not only his own creativity, but record sales and because of the what he was learning from the different people he surrounded himself with--that's what artists often do. And then suddenly overnight Common went from a "fun", lyrically adept rapper to a "conscious rapper"--a title, judging from his interviews, he's never been too comfortable with.

That said, even with his newfound "knowledge" it's not like Common is or was seeking to start some movement, much less open the doors to a revolution or doing speeches around the country telling people how much he hated America and how Blacks people need to rise up and overthrow the government. An angry, black activist Common is not. And anyone who did their research should've known that. Then too, if you're going to go after a non-threat like Common, you better do your research first and find out who other Presidents have invited to the White House in the past. I mean, Eazy-E? Wow.

My guess is that Michelle Obama invited Common to the WH for no other reason than they're both Chicago so she was long familiar with his music. There, that's all. Really now, inviting Common to the WH is not going to be the difference in any election. None. And conservatives making such a huge deal about Common's invite was just straight-up dumb.