Controversy Over ‘Cop Killer’ Rap

I found it ironic to read an article (“The Buck Stops at Selling ‘Cop Killer’ Rap,” by Councilwoman Joan Milke Flores, Commentary, June 23) calling for a ban on Ice-T’s “Cop Killer” days after the Supreme Court voted down “hate crime” laws as an affront to the 1st Amendment. Justice Scalia wrote: “The 1st Amendment forbids silencing speech on the basis of content.” The implication is that burning a cross in front of a black family’s house (a powerless minority) is a legitimate expression of free speech but singing about killing cops (the Establishment) is not. Though killing cops or anyone is wrong, free speech is free speech.

RICARDO ABREN, Paramount