In 2022, deputies from the Adams County, Ohio, sheriff’s department raided the home of Joseph Foreman, apparently looking for evidence related to kidnapping and drug trafficking. They found no such evidence and filed no charges against Foreman, a rapper with the stage name Afroman. But they did break in his door and cause other damage.
Adams County—population 28,000—is 97% white; Afroman is Black.
I sort of feel these are relevant facts.
Afroman’s then-wife recorded the raid on video, which he
has used in videos of his own. Let me just say that Adams County’s finest do
not come off looking quite so fine, so of course seven of them sued him,
claiming his videos, “Help Me Repair My Door” and “Lemon Pound Cake”, subjected
them to ridicule, emotional distress and threats. They put the price of
assuaging their feelings at $4M.
Afroman claimed his First Amendment right, along with
artistic expression. He also pointed out in court earlier this week that the
videos raised funds needed to repair the property damage the deputies caused.
If they hadn’t barged into his house, he wouldn’t have needed to tell the story
to make money.
Here’s a photo of him (by Paul Weeden/WCPO) testifying:
It took the jury a few hours (including electing a
foreperson, ordering lunch and filling out the forms for all 13 counts) about
half a day to rule in the rapper’s favor. His response: “We did it, America.
Freedom of speech. It’s still for the people, by the people.”
So our earworm today is “Lemon Pound Cake”. ‘Nuff said.
©2026 Bas Bleu
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