Lil Wayne and his Flag Trampling Controversy: Understandable or Unbelievable?

Written by: Kristen Curcie As many of you may have heard/read/seen recently, Lil Wayne has made major headlines for controversial footage that was leaked from his new music video for his song titled “God Bless Amerika”. So here’s the 411 on what went down: In photos that surfaced from the video shoot, Wayne is seen performing in front of the American flag, until the flag is dropped to the floor. In traditional American fashion, once the flag hits the floor, it should be burned out of respect. But in the case of Lil Wayne, he not only leaves it on the floor, he then continues performing as he steps all over the fallen emblem. Now, we here at Beautiful Planning are avid supporters of “Freedom of Speech” and “Artistic Freedom”. However, is there a point where the line is crossed? When responding to the criticism he received, Wayne said: “It was never my intention to desecrate the flag of the United States of America. I was shooting a video for a song off my album entitled 'God Bless Amerika'. The clip that surfaced on the Internet was a camera trick clip that revealed that behind the American Flag was the Hoods of America. In the final edit of the video you will see the flag fall to reveal what is behind it but will never see it on the ground.” He went on to explain how the flag tied in with his lyrics: "In most people eyes including my own who were raised in that environment, the Hood is the only America they know and the only America I knew growing up," he said. "I was fortunate from my God giving talents to escape the Hood and see the other beautiful places this country has to offer but most people who are born in that environment don't get that chance. That's their view of their America. That was Dwayne M Carter from Hollygrove New Orleans view of America. That's who I'm speaking for in this song.” Many MANY people have been voicing their opinions on the issue, and the vast majority of them have disagreed fully with what was done in the video. Some call Wayne an “idiot” for what he’s done and that there are soldiers fighting to protect the same flag he is stomping all over. Others have said that Lil Wayne has the same freedom of speech as those who are criticizing him, and if that’s how he’d like to use his artistic freedom, then so be it.  Now we’re asking you! What do you think about Lil Wayne’s latest “artistic decision”? Appropriate, or appalling?