I’m almost sure that after this post, my Black Card will be revoked. I tried to silence my feelings and opinion on this matter until I just couldn’t take anymore. After leaving my Moms house the other night I stopped at the red light to notice a digital sign that read “Stand with Meek Mills”. I did a double take to make sure my eyes weren’t playing tricks on me and that what I knew I saw was really what I thought. And it was! I large black and white sign that charged us to stand with Meek Mills. Really! Stand with Meek Mills? Is he running for a political office? Is he working towards a seat on the school board? Is this a promo for an upcoming tour or album? What am I standing with him for? I guess to justify his need to settle a score which has caused him a seat back in jail for violating the courts rule.
Over the past few weeks I have been hearing about the rallies and the differences of opinions about Meek Mills violation of his probation. I had my personal feelings, but didn’t want to validate them until I understood the facts to see if it really mattered. Today, it still doesn’t, but I just wanted to add to the chatter. The Black community (the hood) was in an uproar! Holding protest, signing petitions, and voicing disgust for the harsh penalty were like nails scratching the chalkboard that caused my ears to bleed. I honestly couldn’t take anymore. The community rallied about a superstar who could have avoided this sentence if only he stuck to the music instead the act of laying physical hand on another man.
So let me tell you why I’m not standing with this man. Meek Mills has had a positive presence in the Philadelphia community, but has experienced an even harsher reality with the Feds. Although his albums have sold millions and turn-up a club or two; his demeanor is one to questioned. I know we all have issues, but standing for one when so many go to jail every day for violating probation is a more like a catch 22. Ask yourself; how many young Black bodies get sentenced on a daily without a rally or petition? How many rallies where lead by rap game celebrities when young Black bodies were killed by gun happy police? Do we protest when the dealers get arrested? Do we protest when our schools are not properly serving our students? How many scholarships have been provided to your local high school seniors from the countless amounts of celebrities that are retweeting #standwithmeekmills? The answers are No, No, and None. Over 300,000 names secured and many of those people barely even bothered to enter a voting booth. I guess money, power, and respect is all you really need in life or is what will confuse the community into another pitiful way of make believe.
Many rappers have stood before justice, but we don’t always provide the same fight for those who faced injustice. When Lil Kim went to jail, I don’t remember seeing people protesting and bargaining with the police. She walked in standing 4’11” tall to serve her time while her fans prayed for her and threw well wished at her feet. Oh, let’s not forget Remi Ma! She served a heavy sentence and still came out smelling like roses. What happened to their billboard proposals? Hip-hop music is frequently described as violent and anti-law enforcement, but have those lyrical attitudes caused the industry more hurt and harm than justice. The jewels, the money, cars, and clothes don’t do a thing when you have violated an court order and want your fans to sing for your right to freedom.
Hip Hop and the Law are two cultural giants that demonstrate a strained relationship that has caused misunderstanding and misconception. Although Hip-Hop has created a sense of peace in the streets it has also created a hate and mistrust in the police. The bluntly open hate has caused for Rappers like Meek Mills to be tainted and sing the song of “Whoa its always Me”, when challenged with defeat. There are tons of Meeks in the community, but they only dream about the luxury to have ten people stand and fight for them to be free.
Community lets start rallying around equal education for all students, better housing for residents, free higher education for those in the inner cities, advanced programming for the youth, scholarships, and the list goes on and on. We are so quick in this era to retweet, copy & paste, and repost without understanding that those we stand for don’t always stand up for us. I respect the talent, but we all have to obey the law. This time I believe its just and shouldn’t leave a reason for man to fight and cuss. Think about it…if you were to violate your probation what real options would you have? You wouldn’t “pass Go or collect $200“.
mOOd: The discussion is over. Black Community we must to do BETTER!
SayWhatNOW?!?! 