The Chronicle

Issue date: 4/23/07 Section: News
Last update: 4/23/07 at 6:53 AM EST

Common

Common, the rapper scheduled to perform at the Last Day of Classes concert Wednesday, has apologized for publicly denouncing the men's lacrosse team at a performance last spring.

"I want to say first of all that I apologize for accusing people wrong that didn't do it," Common told The Raleigh News and Observer Thursday.

During an April 19, 2006, concert at Emory University, the rapper said he believed allegations of rape made against members of the team.

Common said his statements regarding the allegations stemmed from personal reactions and did not reflect the facts of the case.

"I just felt like, 'That's my sister,' so I felt emotional about it, and I guess I did what a lot of people do to other people, to convict them or consider them guilty before we even know the truth," the rapper said.

LDOC Chair Beth Higgins, a senior, said she was thrilled to hear of Common's apology and expects students to forgive the artist for his earlier comments against the team.

"He's human," Higgins said. "He made a mistake, and he acknowledged that, and I feel like students should accept that."

Some students said they agreed that Common's previous statements were out of line and said an apology was appreciated before his performance on campus.

"There were definitely irresponsible comments, but the fact that he apologized makes it seem like he will try and put on a good show and actually cares about what Duke students think," freshman Jordan Rice said.

Common told The N&O he hopes that his apology will be a part of the healing process in the aftermath of the lacrosse case. Some students also said the apology was necessary to help move on.

"It was something he needed to do before he came here," said Sarah Parker, a junior. "I think his apology will really help in overcoming this situation."

Other students, however, said they doubted Common's apology was genuine and said the rapper was only following the way media handled the case throughout its development.

"He just kind of jumped on the bandwagon in condemning these guys," sophomore Jon Martin said. "It's always appropriate to apologize, but I think it's pretty obvious this was a PR move."

Regardless of the authenticity of Common's apology, some students said that although his initial comments were off base, they were not likely to affect LDOC concert attendance.

"I felt his comments were inappropriate at the time, but it wouldn't have changed whether or not I attended the LDOC show," Parker said.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools