 The following statement was released from Russell Simmons on Friday February 25th when justice WAS NOT served in New York City...
I am horrified by the outcome of the Diallo case. This verdict stands as another reason for the community to stand together for change. The Hip-Hop community moves as an army that has the power to elect government that puts the people first vs. the officially sanctioned and promoted police state mentality of Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. This verdict will continue to motivate me to be part of the aggressive effort that galvanizes our youth to register, vote and make changes in the current system.'' Russell Simmons  In the aftermath of Rodney King and all the other victims of police brutality where the 'popo' has bee set free, there should be no excuse for anyone within Hip Hop not to be involved. After what transpired this past week, it should be painfully obvious that being silent on this issue is no longer an option. From Prop 21 to the recent 'discovery' of all out corruption within LA's police department to Diallo, only the blind or those who chose to remain ignorant can see that there is a war being waged upon us. It would've been nice to have heard or seen more Hip Hop artists speaking out. Instead, we had to endure headline after headline talking about everything from artists being accused of murder, shootings stabbings and other craziness. In almost all these instances, the violence has been against our own. If we're gonna be gangstas and thugs, let's do some political thuggin'. Let's do some gang banging in these political arenas and vote everyone accountable out of office. This acquittal should cost Giuliani his run for US Senate.
Props to Mos Def and all the others who came together and worked on that anti-police brutality song. Hopefully we should be hearing it soon. Props to all the Bay Area Hip Hoppers who took over a school in SF's Mission District last Friday night and protested. Thanks for recognizing, that despite the economic boom, there are 21st century lynchings going on. Thanks for taking a stance. Thanks to Russell for being one of the few within Hip Hop to issue a public statement. Hopefully people take you upon your offer and get behind your efforts. Can you imagine how powerful it would be if a guy like Russell could get a DMX, Foxy Brown, Redman and Meth to lead the charge in getting folks registered to vote and politically activated? Could you imagine if Ja Rule and his crew pulled the The Murderers album from shelves and switched up the lyrics and overall focus. They could give a whole new meaning to the album's title 'The Murderers'. Instead of doing song after song where we kill each other, imagine if they turned their attention to the 4 policemen who just got acquitted. They should blaster the picture of these officers on the album cover with the title 'Murderers' splashed across the front. They could bring so much public attention and heat that America would continuously hound them like they do OJ Simpson. Could you imagine if the comics on Def Comedy Jam used their talent and keen wit and started making jokes that dis brutal cops and incompetent Mayors who support them? Could you imagine a Puffy sampling one of those popular beat from the 80s and making a hit song that packs the dance floor about getting rid of The Mayor and his corrupt police department? Heck he did 15 songs about Biggie. How about some songs dealing with this subject of police brutality? Maybe Master P who just put some money behind the Da Wild Boys who did a song dissing Cash Money, could could toss some more money at them. Instead of doing a song called 'Click Click' where they talk about how they're gonna beat down Juvenile and Manny Fresh and rob their jewels, maybe they could refocus their anger and do a song that's directed toward police who like to brutalize people. Instead of Click Click I'm gonna rob you of your jewels, how about Click Click I'm gonna rob you of your badge and gun? Is such a suggestion to radical and out of pocket? I guess the best thing that could happen is to see all those officers who behave professionally day and day out and try to do a decent job only to find their hard work tarnished by guys who like shove broom handles up people's rectums, plant evidence and shoot unarmed men 41 times, will be able to rise up and drum this small group of brutalizing bad apples out the department. Is that too much to ask? I really hope the Hip Hop community really takes Russell Simmons's statements to heart. For those who live in New York hit me back and let us know what's been going on? What are people saying? What are the radio stations like Hot 97 doing? How big are the rallies? etc. The mainstream news coverage has been pretty bad out here on the west coast. They've been criticizing the protestors and Al Sharpton by saying they are overreacting. They said only a thousand people showed up for a rally. Has this incident brought people together or divided them? They showed Bill Bradley speaking out against the verdict? What has Hillary Clinton said about this? Hit us up and let the truth be told! |