Monday, March 18, 2024

Common Pulled as Commencement Speaker after NJ Cops Complain

Common speaks during the Starbucks annual shareholders meeting March 18, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. Common spoke as part of the Starbucks "Race Together" program an effort to promote discussion on racial inequality in the United States
Common speaks during the Starbucks annual shareholders meeting March 18, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. Common spoke as part of the Starbucks “Race Together” program an effort to promote discussion on racial inequality in the United States

*New Jersey’s Kean University has cancelled Common as its commencement speaker after police pointed out a track he recorded 15 years ago about a woman convicted of killing a cop.

State Police union president Chris Burgos called the choice a “slap in the face” because lyrics in Common’s 2000 recording “A Song for Assata” portrays Assata Shakur (born Joanne Chesimard) as a victim.

Assata Shakur mugshot
Assata Shakur mugshot

Chesimard, a former Black Panther and member of the Black Liberation Army, was convicted in 1977 of killing a New Jersey state trooper. She remains in Cuba after she escaped from prison.

The school announced the Oscar winner’s selection on Monday, but said Tuesday night that he was being pulled. University spokeswoman Susan Kayne told The Record newspaper that their Common announcement was made prematurely and the school is pursuing other speaker options.

Listen to “A Song for Assata” below:

We Publish News 24/7. Don’t Miss A Story. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now!

YOU MAY LIKE

SEARCH

- Advertisement -

TRENDING