Hey John,
Our first amendment dictates that we have the freedom to speak and express ourselves without repercussions from the government.
But we've recently ushered in a new era where that creative expression, especially rap lyrics, can now be interpreted, analyzed, and used against you in court as an artist. Rap is expression, it is literature, it is poetry. But at its core is freedom of speech.
So I reintroduced the Restoring Artistic Protection (RAP) Act to protect our first amendment freedoms so no artist is prosecuted for their art. This vital bill will protect art, artists, and freedom nationwide — and I hope you'll join me in supporting it. Will you sign on to be a citizen co-sponsor of the RAP Act today?
If you do not have freedom of speech, you do not have a democracy.
Our creativity is our humanity and our art is our air. If you crush our art, you take away our air. You choke us off from participating in a democracy.
Rappers are the journalists of their communities — taking on the role of storytellers to illustrate the truths of their lives, culture, struggles, and triumphs from their neighborhoods.
Singers and songwriters have historically been prosecuted for their art. All too often, systemic racism plays a large part in these prosecutions as white artists do not face the same legal scrutiny as Black artists. From lyrics and music videos to social media posts — all of these have been used against major artists in attempts to rack up evidence against them in the legal system.
Artists like Stephen King or George Lucas haven't had to defend themselves in court the way Young Thug, Olutosi Oduwole, and other established Black rappers have. It's part of an ongoing effort to criminalize Black art. We need a national standard to protect the legitimacy and legal safety of these artists.
Peace, love, and Wu-Tang forever,
Jamaal Bowman
