Judge Mandates Reeducation of Lauryn Hill for ‘Conspiracy Theories’

Liberty Mosh Pit

Activist, vocalist, and songwriter Lauryn Hill of Fugees fame is going to prison. She recently took a three-year hiatus from public life, indicating that she was trying to escape working for “a media-protected military industrial complex with a completely different agenda.” During this period of time, she stopped working, withdrew from society, and forgot to file taxes.

She attempted to get caught up on her taxes by paying over $900,000, but was ordered to serve a three-month prison sentence anyway. Additionally, in violation of the principle of freedom of speech, a Newark, NJ judge ordered her to attend counseling over her belief that the military-industrial complex exercises undue influence over musicians, movies, and media outlets. Why is an alleged free society like the United States putting good people like Lauryn Hill in jail for having conscientious objections to supporting an out-of-control military-industrial complex? Also, since when are people “reeducated” for their beliefs in America?

Lauryn Hill: Forced to Fund the Military-Industrial Complex

Conscientious tax objection is a concept that needs closer examination given the fact that US tax dollars primarily go to foreign policy adventures overseas that many Americans find morally appalling. Lauryn Hill must have believed that if she stopped working, she could stop funding a military-industrial complex that many liken to an out-of-control killing machine. However, the current tax code is designed to punish individuals who attempt to live off of their savings. Lauryn Hill got rich off her message-packed, beloved songs, and “soak the rich” policies affect her as well.

She criticized the involuntary nature of the tax system. Said Hill, “I am a child of former slaves who had a system imposed on them. I had an economic system imposed on me.” Some media outlets lambasted her for making that comparison, but only out of their own ignorance as to what it feels like for Hill to be forced to contribute the fruits of her labor to fund corruption that she finds morally unacceptable. Also, it’s worth nothing that, since she got behind on her “voluntary taxes,” she is being forced to go to prison.

The First Amendment Implications

Musicians hold all types of viewpoints, many of which are outside of the mainstream. There is no law banning Americans from believing in any type of conspiracy theory. In fact, the law of the land is that the government cannot interfere with the expression of free speech.

To start off, “conspiracy theory” is an anti-intellectual term with no meaning used to ridicule another’s beliefs without having to address the substance of the argument. Furthermore, Lauryn Hill’s belief that the military-industrial complex exercises undue control over the media is more or less believed by a massive percentage of Americans, including mainstream politicians.

Americans do not need to be “reeducated” by the government when they hold unapproved beliefs. Lauryn Hill tried to pay back her tax debt after going through a reclusive phase, and officials are punishing her disproportionately, because of the fact that she’s famous, and her imprisonment will generate headlines.

Lauryn Hill should be free to express her beliefs. Instead of sending her to be reeducated, officials should send themselves to a refresher course on the Constitution.

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