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Black Lives Matter: Did Rap Stop Talkin’?
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I am Nigerian. I have only been to America twice and even though I may claim to understand American race struggles, my understanding in its most basic state is vicarious. Despite growing up thousands of miles away from the various stages where these race struggles happened across America, my young adult years were influenced by books by James Baldwin, films like Roots and music lyrics such as Tupac’s Changes. These influences greatly impacted me. The iconic Roots flogging scene remains seared on my consciousness, branded in hot iron — a scar that leaves an imprint to date, according ownership rights to something that ought not to be owned.
This is not another me-too story, feigned to mimic inclusivity. Rather, it is about the uncomfortable silence of rap which has always been a weapon in this never ending fight against racism.
Chorus
I see no changes, all I see is racist faces
Misplaced hate makes disgrace to races
We under, I wonder what it takes to make this
One better place, let’s erase the wasted~ Tupac Amaru Shakur
