Kendrick Lamar Receives Backlash For His Ferguson Comments In ‘Billboard Magazine’
by Staff Editor
Kendrick Lamar is one of the front runners for the “conscious” new school rappers, so it only made sense that fans (and other rappers) were completely shocked to hear his comments about the black community in the latest Billboard magazine issue. The interview covered various topics and one included Kendrick’s thoughts on the death of Michael Brown.
“What happened to Michael Brown should’ve never happened. Never. But when we don’t have respect for ourselves, how do we expect them to respect us? It starts from within. Don’t start with just a rally, don’t start from looting — it starts from within.”
This particular quote threw Twitter into a frenzy because people aren’t quite sure why the sudden “change of heart” for Kendrick. The outspoken songstress Azaelia Banks had something to say and it wasn’t the nicest. Banks called that quote “the dumbest shit I’ve ever heard a black man say.” She also criticized him from saying this to a “white publication” and that he should “speak for your fucking self” along with a few other tweets in a mini rant.
So, is Kendrick wrong for what he said or is he taking more of a peaceful stance and just wants the best for the black community overall? You be the judge. Read the rest of his Billboard interview here.
I am a Kendrick fan. Like fan-fan. Super fan. But I was so disappointed in that comment. I hate the whole “we don’t respect ourselves, how can we expect them to respect us” BS from anyone. I can only hope that it was poorly edited and he provided more depth to that statement. I still think he’s a great dude and amazing artist. I will still support him, but definitely can’t support that statement.
It’s sad that black people can’t criticize or even reflect on their own community without being labeled a traitor.
I see nothing wrong with the statement. He stated his opinion like it or not. He may have known people who don’t respect themselves which then led to conflicts with the Police. I’ve known some people like that. It’s unfortunate that as Black people we can’t talk about accountability and the role we can play in some not all incidents with the Police. The truth is there is a fundamental flaw within the idea of policing that will never be solved. Who has the answers?