Sister Souljah incites debate

Emotions exploded as controversial rap artist Sister Souljah spoke about rap, racism and the First Amendment to a filled Stiteler Hall auditorium last night. Souljah confronted the topic of "Rap and Rights: The First Amendment and the Arts" during the panel discussion. Dressed in black, Souljah often incited applause and strong verbal reactions of support from the audience. "I would like to pull the sheets off," Souljah said, adding that she hoped audience members would express their true feelings and views. The issue of rap and freedom of speech revolves around race, Souljah said. "It's completely racial," she said. "African people are not considered human or part of the human family." Souljah -- who stressed her opposition to censorship -- said blacks could never have true freedom of speech because they did not have the power or forum to voice their opinions. "I'm free to express myself -- in my bathroom," she said. Other issues raised included education, responsibility and a comparison between rap and movies. Many focused on panelist Christopher Robbins, a College junior, in light of recent debate regarding his requests for Student Activities Council funding for The Red and Blue, the magazine he edits. Robbins said speech that incites a "clear and present danger" should not be protected under the First Amendment. He provided a leaflet, which Souljah denounced, with various examples of rap that might fit under that category. Organizations such as the National Endowment for the Arts should not be allowed to make funding decisions based on the content of an artist's work, Robbins added. Panelist Eric Perkins, assistant dean in residence for W.E.B. DuBois College House, discussed the importance of rap and hip-hop to blacks and talked about the double standards that exist when people condemn rap without considering other music. Associate Political Science Professor Will Harris, who also served on the panel, concentrated on constitutional issues, noting that speech involving "alternative imagination" -- including rap --Eis protected. The final panelist, Christopher Lake, focused on his editorial role at The Vision -- to guide its ideology without influencing it with his own opinion. The forum was sponsored by Residential Living's Office of First Year Programming.