In the wake of the Charleston Church shootings, racial tensions are reaching a climax.
The 2015 BET Awards aired on Monday night and headlining the awards was Kendrick Lamar’s performance of “Alright” on top of a vandalized police cruiser, which undoubtedly caused uproar. After, Geraldo Rivera of Fox News took to the air to express his opinions stating, “Hip-hop has done more damage to young African Americans than racism.”
Upon first hearing this comment I was angered, not only because I believe his view is wrong, but also because I doubt that Geraldo Rivera and the other news anchors have listened to Kendrick Lamar.
Earlier this year Kendrick released his much anticipated sophomore album “To Pimp a Butterfly.” Intended to be a play on words of “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Kendrick attacks social issues such as drugs, human trafficking, and police violence. The album itself details Kendrick’s life after Compton and how fame and money made him lose sight of his roots. Enlightened by his journey to Africa, Kendrick got to explore his heritage, and by seeing the struggles of Africans and his ancestors, he was truly able to respect who he was and make peace with himself.
If the Fox news anchors had taken the time to analyze Kendrick’s portfolio they would have seen that Kendrick often denounces violence. It is evident that the news anchors have not taken the time to listen to the album. If they had, they would have known that “Alright” comes after “u,” which is a song that depicts Kendrick in his darkest days. Kendrick describes how he believes he failed the people he loves because he was too blinded by fame. He ends the song with “Shoulda killed you’re a** a long time ago, You shoulda feeled that black revolver blast a long time ago, And if those mirrors could talk it would say ‘You gotta go’, And if I told your secrets, The world’ll know money can’t stop a suicidal weakness.” At this point in the album it is hard for Kendrick to love himself as if his conscience is blaming him. Hence “u.”
“Alright” is a song about picking yourself up and persevering. It is not a song about hating police. This is what Geraldo Rivera fails to see. He fails to see past the vandalized police cruiser, he fails to see the underlying trait of perseverance to the song, and most of all he fails to see the real problems that plague our nation.
Having grown up in the suburbs in an affluent area, I cannot claim to know the struggles of growing up in a ghetto. I have never had to struggle in the same way as Kendrick, but the beauty in “To Pimp a Butterfly” is not in his ability to bring social issues to light. The true beauty is in Kendrick’s ability to make people relate their personal struggles to his. With this we are able to get a glimpse into that walk of life and understand.
With his portfolio of work, Kendrick has been a leader. One that has been much needed since the passing of Martin Luther King Jr. While the two are vastly different, they both have a unique talent of inspiring. In a period where tensions in America are higher than ever, it is important that Kendrick continue to be a voice for those that cannot speak for themselves. It would be a lie to say that America does not have a problem with police brutality, and it is a problem that we all must recognize and address. In order to do so we must understand the true problem: racism.
While I cannot give you an answer to these problems, I can tell you that racism evolves from a lack of understanding. Art is a method of expression and gives one a wordless insight to a subculture. I truly believe that if everyone took the time to listen and truly understand the motives behind this album, America would be a better place.
