By Jheri Hardaway
Staff Writer
Adams County, Ohio - Afroman or Joseph E. Foreman successfully defended his First Amendment freedom of speech and expression against a lawsuit from Ohio’s Adams County Sheriff’s Office. In 2022, Afroman’s house was raided, robbed, and vandalized based on suspicion of kidnapping and narcotics from an individual known to the Sheriff’s Office. As an artist, musician, and American Afroman, he elected to “Turn my bad times into a good time,” and create a series of songs and videos demonstrating his “proof on the internet.” What resulted was the public shaming and humiliation of the very deputies who raided the home. Songs like “Lemon Pound Cake,” “Will You Help Me Repair My Door,” and even the mental health hit “I’m A Have A Good Time,” and the fan favorite “Randy Walters is a Son ** * *****” a YouTube exclusive.
The three-day trial was accessible via social media and sent the internet into a frenzy. Afroman has been famous to the MTV or Napster generation for decades. His song, “Because I Got High,” did more for drug awareness than its contemporary program D.A.R.E which has recently come under fire. According to a 2023 NPR report, “numerous studies published in the 1990s and early 2000s concluded programs like D.A.R.E. had no significant impact on drug use. And one study actually found a slight uptick in drug use among suburban students after participation in D.A.R.E.” “Because I Got High” features a simple yet memorable melody and tells the story of the lack of productivity often associated with drug use. The repetition and the honesty in the lyrics make it relatable and timeless. This is why it was so easy for folks across the internet to champion Afroman and his successful demonstration of our First Amendment right to free speech.
This trial was bigger than rap; this speaks to the corruption and harassment that Black men in particular are experiencing with law enforcement. This situation also speaks strongly to qualified immunity and how reform and diversity are needed in law enforcement. Afroman is an elite storyteller and a phenomenal veteran of the music industry. Can’t wait to see what he shares next!
