He looked like a lonely man out there walking every day around the Capitol carrying an American Flag. He did not yell, or carry signs, he just walked every day and carried that flag. I noticed him one day when I was on my way back to work from lunch and decided to join him in his walk and talk with him about his mission. When I asked him why he was walking like that, he informed me he was walking for me and for all the other women in our nation. He said he was walking for our children and asked me if I cared. He then explained that he had been a disc jockey and he loves music. He said that he loves rap music, but he hates the message of gangsta rap. He says it damages the thoughts of our young people who are exposed to it continually. "It sends messages of hate and murder. It tells them that violence is the means to an end and it demeans women of all races. It also demeans races and calls my people degrading names." Again, he asked me if I cared and I said "Yes". That was the beginning of a long distance friendship with a man named Sonny Scroggins. I have been called racist because I have said that the lyrics in gangsta rap is offensive and dangerous. Anyone who knows Sonny Scroggins can not call me racist. I admired him then and I admire him now for standing up for his convictions and calling wrong wrong. I admire him because since the time that I meant him, his wife has died and he has been ill and hospitalized yet still he stands up against the name calling and pressure from his own race because he knows in his heart that it is the right thing to do.
I told Sonny from the onset that we could not legislate against first amendment rights of free speech, but perhaps we could send a message acknowledging that the lyrics are harmful and dangerous. A resolution is a statement. It is non-binding. It is an expression of free speech. If Mrs. Torrens is interested in having a resolution drafted in support of gangsta rap’s message she may be able to find someone to represent her views. I feel that Sonny Scroggins and the many that are concerned as he is have a right to representation too.
Since coming to the legislature this session, I have spent very little time on this resolution. I did not seek out the press, but have responded to their questions and interests. As a matter of fact, I have been approached by one individual that is with the press here in Topeka requesting that I follow through with this.
It is always troubling when individuals envision how my time is spent in Topeka without having first hand knowledge of a typical day in Topeka. I attempted to contact Peggy Torrens personally and asked for her feedback on the priorities she would like me to pursue. I would be happy to have her to shadow me for a day to see how my time is spent and I would also like to make the statement as I have many times that my door is open to all my constituents to speak of their concerns and to attempt to address their problems. Thanks for the opportunity to respond to the personal tirade against my work here in Topeka.
Respectfully, Peggy Mast
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