Wednesday, September 12, 2007

It's hard out here for a Hip Hop Reverend


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This is a video of the Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr., of the D.C.-based Hip Hop Caucus. (Hip Hop Caucus? Do we have a Country Jam Caucus?)

According to the WaPo he "allegedly refused to move back after jumping in front of a line of people waiting to get inside the room. He was charged with disorderly conduct and assault on a police officer, Capitol Police said." He was then taken by DC Fire and Emergency to George Washington Hospital,where he is today.

Even those who defend the Reverend, admit that he says clearly, "I will not be arrested today." Well, guess what? You don't get to decide that. When will people understand that you must obey a police officer even if you disagree with him. There is this notion out there, especially among young people, that if you are "in the right" then you can argue and refuse to do what a police officer says.

The police say he cut in line and they asked him to go back. That is clearly what they are arguing about at the beginning of the tape. Even if that wasn't true, YOU DON'T ARGUE WITH THE POLICE. Especially on Capitol Hill! If you do, then they take you down. Anyone with even a passing knowledge of the show 'COPS' knows this.

We have to have respect for authority in this country. We have to. Maybe Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr didn't cut line. Maybe he was totally in the right, but when a police officer tells you to move...YOU MOVE. Then, you can discuss your problem.

In the video he starts struggling with the officers immediately as he says he won't be arrested today. YOU CANNOT DO THIS.

Now, I don't think the Rev. is a stupid man. I don't think he is unaware that what happened would happen. This seems to me to be contrived. I think he wanted to be arrested. How else could he have gotten into the paper today? I hope he isn't really hurt, but most times in this life, you get what you ask for.