The Buck Stops at Selling ‘Cop Killer’ Rap

The Los Angeles City Council is about to consider a motion that I introduced calling on Warner Bros. Records and Time Warner, Inc., to voluntarily discontinue the selling or marketing of rapper Ice-T’s song “Cop Killer,” which glorifies the killing of police officers.

I am aware that record companies, like newspapers, television and radio stations, and publishers are in the business of delivering a wide variety of messages to the public. I certainly support the right to do so; however, with that right must come a social responsibility to our communities.

The artist’s interest in using a record company label to express his or her political and social views must be tempered with guidelines of contemporary social standards and practices. Ice-T has a right to say whatever he chooses, but that does not mean that record companies have an obligation to promote such material if such an action would be socially irresponsible and incite violence.

Particularly at this time, six short weeks after our city’s worst example of violence and destruction, I believe that the promotion of this material is totally inappropriate and indicates a preference for profits rather than public responsibility.

A Warner Bros. Records spokesman responded to my council motion by saying, “This is not a matter of profits. It’s a matter of principle.” That is exactly my point. The principle at stake is social responsibility. There comes a time when people in a civilized society must make decisions on the basis of what is right and what is wrong and stop hiding behind the First Amendment.

It is time for companies such as Warner Bros. Records to recognize that within the framework of the fundamental concept of free speech guaranteed by the First Amendment, they have an obligation as responsible corporate citizens to apply common sense and good taste to their marketing and sales decisions.

The job of police officer is an incredibly difficult one. To call for the killing of the brave men and women who risk their lives daily for our public safety is offensive, cruel and should be stopped immediately.

The thin blue line should never be compromised for the sake of the corporate bottom line.