Many viewers were shocked when a video surfaced showing Lil Wayne stepping on a fallen American flag while filming his new music video, "God Bless Amerika." Now the rapper is speaking up and saying that he didn't intend to step on the flag, as it was part of a scene, according to the New York Daily News.
"I didn't step on the flag on purpose!" Lil Wayne tweeted recently. "It's a scene in a video where the flag drops behind me and after it drops, it's just there as I perform."
The rapper clarified that he had no intention of being disrespectful, despite some lyrics in his new single that made some viewers assume he has being unpatriotic on purpose: "My country 'tis of thee/ sweet land of kill 'em all and let 'em die/ God bless Amerika/ This so godless Amerika ... the stars on the flag are never shining."
The controversial video clip has gained thousands of views already and sparked outrage among fans and critics alike. According to a New York Daily News poll, many think the rapper should apologize, accident or not, with 54 percent of those polled voting that Lil Wayne should apologize, and 30 percent voting he should cut it out of the video altogether. Only 16 percent of those polled voted that he should "stand by his right to free speech."
The video was filmed in Lil Wayne's hometown in New Orleans, the scene in question showing a large American flag behind Lil Wayne falling as a crowd of adults and children looks on behind him.
Whether or not it was intentional, stepping on the flag is not a crime, as desecration of the American flag is protected by the First Amendment.
Do you think Lil Wayne should apologize even if it was an accident, or do you think people are overreacting? Sound off below in the comments!
