TO THE EDITOR:
In light of recent conversations that have surfaced on social media and in pop culture, there are a few points still to make.
With regard to the “beef” between hip hop musicians Kendrick Lamar, Lupe Fiasco and Azealia Banks, it should be made apparently clear as to who has the privilege of speaking and who should listen.
Hip hop music, an art form created by blacks to express the emotions and sensibilities of other black folks, was not created for the profit or superficial enjoyment of white folks.
I assume best intentions but hold Lamar accountable for his impact when he commented to Billboard magazine saying, “When we don’t have respect for ourselves, how do we expect them to respect us?”
Banks retorted with harsh and pointed criticism at Lamar, citing systemic inequality and “generational effects of poverty, racism, and discrimination.”
Although I am more inclined to agree with Banks and her idea of generational inequality, as a black person in this culture, I have also struggled to love myself. This contradiction and internal conflict has not only been difficult to express in a space meant for expressing black ideals, but it has also been stifled by white opinionated men.
It is not in the interest of white folks to comment on this dispute, regardless of how much they promise to love hip hop.
There have been a number of white folks who think it is their responsibility to come to the defense of their “boi” Kendrick Lamar, deceptively coding their privilege and racism.
