Nas is one of the best rappers of all time and simultaneously been a major voice for political issues with in the community. He always can spark dialogue, showed up to the Grammy’s with a shirt on that said nigger for goodness sake. The Queens emcee has taken to the budding platform of Instagram to speak on America’s exploitation of the culture and ‘moving backwards’ in progress.
America has spent so much time, money & resources fighting wars abroad and completely fell asleep at the wheel of the war brewing within our cities, neighborhoods & blocks. We are supposed to stand for freedom & equal opportunity. That’s supposed to mean MORE than just words but the actions of late just don’t speak to what we are supposed to stand for. This is BIGGER than BLACK and WHITE. This is about America selling a false dream. Now we’ve obviously progressed since the inception of this nation but we took our eye off the ball and it feels as though things are moving backwards. As a black man, I find it difficult to understand that our biggest export (our American culture) comes from us. The people in the streets… The way the world dresses, talks, what they listen to, what they watch… That all comes from us. How can we be the ones responsible for America’s biggest export & fear for our lives like we shouldn’t belong here. I don’t have all the answers nor do I believe anyone does, but we need to have conversations around how to improve as a nation. How do we show any ounce of progress that keeps hope alive. This is too big of a problem to be solved overnight but there needs to be some questions answered to get things back on the track of righteousness. Amazing people died for this country. We owe it to the past, present & future to come together and move this country in the right direction. This is my home just like it is anyone else’s. RIP CRISPUS ATTUCKS. FIRST MAN TO DIE IN AMERICA’s FREEDOM WAR & HE WAS BLACK! GOD BLESS EVERY OUNCE OF INNOCENT BLOOD SHED FOR THIS NATION & MY FAMILY.
Nas is always on point when he speaks on these issues and this is no different. Much of the language and trends that take America by storm come from the same people and places that are looked upon as trash. You can look at popular vines and see just how powerful and influential the black culture has been on mainstream America. Hopefully more artists keep speaking out and raising awareness.
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