There’s a massive fleet of elite Hip Hop artists who demand justice for George Floyd’s death by Minneapolis police on May 25.
This includes JAY-Z, J. Cole, Killer Mike, Rihanna, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Eminem and 50 Cent — even Justin Timberlake is in solidarity with helping the protestors by willfully posting their bail if they get arrested.
In addition, Russell Simmons responded to CNN anchor and renowned Donald Trump whistleblower Don Lemon’s on-air challenge on Saturday (May 30) for Hollywood celebrities to do the same with the protestors in the streets.
As one of the urban community’s most accessible voices of reason, the social activist and Hip Hop business mogul concurs with Lemon about his own role’s importance. However, Simmons explains Lemon’s rhetoric may not necessarily be applicable for some of the entertainment industry’s biggest names.
“I agree with [Don Lemon] and it inspires me to do more,” Simmons told HipHopDX. “I don’t believe that any celebrity owes anybody anything. I don’t believe that anyone owes social activism to their community. At the same time, I am absolutely certain that your own happiness and salvation is directly tied to the happiness and salvation you promote for others. So, I am committed to do more as much as I can.
“I feel personally responsible to the community and I feel like my voice and my Twitter and my Instagram followers are the people’s, they’re not mine. And I should give them messaging that uplifts them. I feel that way. Everybody didn’t get their following that way. They’re getting their following, some by nudity, some by being famous for being famous. Everybody has a different relationship with their community. I feel the followers that I have expect from me inspiring and uplifting statements because that’s what I try to do.”
On Sunday (May 31), Simmons posted a photo of himself with Peacekeepers.org founder Dr. Dennis Muhammad on his Instagram account at the NOBLE (National Organization for Black Law Enforcement) event approximately 10 years ago. Muhammad and Simmons have been longtime partners speaking to police forces across many U.S. cities by using sensitivity training in the academies to end police brutality.
“I spent 30 years fighting police brutality. And in its instance, I feel a little not as powerful but my voice is still not fully muted,” Simmons said. “What I’m speaking and sharing with them is the same wisdom from 30 years. We’ve been fighting police brutality for 30 years. We’ve asked for the same things, none of which have been executed. Thirty years we’ve been saying we want separate prosecutors.
“Of course, prosecutors controlled by the police will never convict police. That’s just our history and we know that. The police unions have blocked any kind of oversight. So now, with all of the protests, what are we asking for? We’re asking for proper oversight where police can be held accountable. Sensitivity training is useful and should be promoted honestly, and not just as tactic to calm the unrest in the community. But the systematic change which is always talked about but never implemented is what we should get now that we have their attention.”
It’s evident systemic racism remains deeply embedded in many cases handled by law enforcement and the judicial system. This includes the recent deaths of unarmed African-Americans Ahmaud Arbery by a white retired Georgia cop and his son in February and Breonna Taylor in Louisville one month later. Only one out of the four policemen who were present at the crime scene were charged in killing Floyd.
JAY-Z Applauds MN Governor For Handing George Floyd Case To Attorney General Keith Ellison
Former Minneapolis policer Derek Chauvin was arrested Friday (May 29) on third-degree murder and manslaughter charges after kneeling on Floyd’s neck. Nearly every U.S. major market has been subjected to millions of dollars in property damage from looting in the aftermath.
Liberal “Jounalists” like Don Lemon should rather condemn their far-left terrorists like ANTIFA who are instigating the violence and riots instead of asking what drakes is doing right now.
You really believe that “far-left is turning the protest Violent” bs. It’s far more likely the FAR RIGHT
Funny you say that. Antifa hates Trump and his supporters. They actually are pushing what they claim to fight against. Fascism. They really don’t even care about BLM. They are pushing a separate agenda. Seems like a lot of people including you is falling in line. Don’t want to ask questions. Just want to keep drinking the koolaid
Any reasonable person would hate Trump and his supporters, GTFOH.
So I should support the violence and the looting just to make you happy? You don’t see conservatives out there doing these things. Most of the people that are out there doing the riots and looting are the same people who supported the lockdowns. Ironic being that they don’t trust the government. Bet they will want them around when people start standing up for themselves.
You did support America when they were looting Iraq, Libya, Syria etc… But now you can’t support looting on your own land… Shame on you. We learn from the masters.
Now you just sound ignorant. As soon as you say “masters” all credibility of what weak argument that was is gone. Let’s see how much you like it when your property gets messed up, or you get assaulted. Cause please believe they don’t care what skin color you are. And you want to talk about these country’s, let’s also talk about how they loot and pillage each other. Please give me an explanation for that, and an explanation for how America has looted them. I expect a pretty interesting answer, or you will have some ideology that’s been fed to you that you will parrot.
You did support America when they were looting Iraq, Libya, Syria etc… But now you can’t support looting on your own land… Shame on you. We learn from the
@Casor_Greene the far right groups are doing it?? citation needed! theres actually more evidence of antifa being involved than any far right groups.
but go ahead. name me ONE far right group involved. go!
you are the racist. oh dearie me, talking about how celebrities don’t owe anybody anything well that might be partly true. rich and famous people such as Russell think they don’t owe anybody anything everybody. could you care to elaborate? tell us what you really mean Russell and not beat around the bush like a fucking wedgie board.
First up, how many of these celebs calling out other celebs for not commenting are actually on the front lines of the protest? Sending a tweet and offering to buy support will never take away the hundreds of women you drugged and did whatever to.
Divide and conquer seems to be working just fine. Too many walking dead who confuse knowledge for ignorance.
@ UnPopularOpinion
You did support America when they were looting Iraq, Libya, Syria etc… But now you can’t support looting on your own land… Shame on you. We learn from the