Barack Obama's campaign issued a denunciation of this Ludacris song in which he refers to Hillary Clinton as "a bitch".
Simultaneously, Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton released a statement saying:
"As Barack Obama has said many, many times in the past, rap lyrics today too often perpetuate misogyny, materialism, and degrading images that he doesn't want his daughters or any children exposed to. This song is not only outrageously offensive to Senator Clinton, Reverend Jackson, Senator McCain, and President Bush, it is offensive to all of us who are trying to raise our children with the values we hold dear. While Ludacris is a talented individual he should be ashamed of these lyrics."
Ta-Nehisi Coates titles a post "Ludacris attempts to make Hip-hop more irrelevant" but it's hard to see how it's ever been more relevant. Nas is protesting FOX News on behalf of MoveOn, Ludacris gets a personal chin check from Bill Burton and when and where Obama chooses to listen to Jay-Z's Black Album is an issue of "serious" political importance.
So while we're here ... did any other random black people who like Barack Obama say something that offended you today? If so, you should call Bill Burton so he can issue a denunciation. I hear that one of the goals of the transition team is plans for a new federal agency that will deal exclusively with issuing apologies on behalf of Barack Obama for anything black people do that offends you.
--A.Serwer
