Kendrick, You Killed My Whole Vibe
So yesterday, while reading the daily newspaper, (aka Facebook, Instagram, and emails) I came across a FB link titled "Kendrick Lamar Defends Iggy Izalea". Of course I clicked through the link and skimmed over it to find out he really is defending Iggy. All I could think was "Not my boy Kendrick!" A few hours pass and I come across another FB link titled "Azealia Banks Calls Kendrick Lamar's Ferguson Comments "The Dumbest Sh-t I've Ever Heard". I saw the link and said "Twice in one day?! Wassup with my son Kendrick?!" I clicked the link and Kendrick Lamar states "In order to be respected we must respect ourselves first. It starts from within."
I must say.. It's not the dumbest shit I've heard. But it's definitely some bullshit to hear.
Shame on me for not realizing both links dissected portions from the same Billboard article! People are going to emphasize on things they want you to care about! Always dig deeper guys!
I read the entire Billboard article. Overall it is a pleasant, well written, schpiel about Lamar's work ethic, humility, and his introverted personality with little hints and details to spark anticipation for his upcoming project. They discuss Taylor Swift who told Billboard she wishes she was "best friends" with Lamar and that his single "Backstreet Freestyle" is her theme song. In my mind I'm thinking "What is this country blonde hair blue eyed girl gonna have to talk about with Lamar straight outta Compton?" In both of his albums Lamar clearly shares his account of the struggles, dangers, losses, and hardships that come out of living in the hood. If Taylor swift and Kendrick Lamar weren't famous and somehow crossed paths I doubt Swift would be eager to hear his "Backstreet Freestyle". Let's be real here. This is where I feel appropriation comes in. Where "black culture" is cool and black people are not. But that's a whole other conversation.
The real problem I had with this article is where Kendrick, in response to being asked about high-profile murders of African-Americans in 2014, where he says
"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."
Kendrick Lamar's statement is regressive towards the recent movement that has began since the murders of Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, and countless other senseless murders have taken place by the police.
Everyone (including Kendrick Lamar) should learn the phrase "Respectability Politics". This is a phrase to define the set of rules or standards placed by "black know-it-alls" that ensure that if you act, speak, dress a certain way then blacks would be treated better in this country. As if to say, if I wear Jordans, Levi's and a hoodie, I lack respect for myself. If I omit the "g" from my speech patters, I'm not respectin' myself. If I'm rapping lyrics to a song in my headphones, I don't respect myself and because I don't respect myself, I can be killed and it will be a righteous kill because no one else respects me.
Do you see the error in Kendrick's statement? If someone shoots a dog, will Kendrick say "that dog should've respected himself. Shouldn't have barked when he saw the shooter."? No he will not. Why? Because it's bullshit to say something like that.
For Kendrick Lamar to tell Billboard that Blacks do not respect themselves is down right disgusting. How can you tell white-washed Billboard that blacks don't respect themselves!? You're not helping the movement! His logic is flawed. Blacks have respected themselves since the beginning! Ask the Africans who were overthrown on the slave ship because they respected themselves enough to refuse to be shackled and fought back. Ask the slaves who fought back against their slave masters. Ask Fredrick Douglas who taught himself to read and write, ask MLK, as Malcolm X, ask yourself, ask me! Blacks have always prided themselves! He cannot spew words of self-love, and come out and say blacks don't respect themselves when everyday blacks have to break their backs to prove to the whole world that they do. This is why we're rallying and protesting. This is why we're standing with our hand up in front of 1 Police Plaza. This is why we stand behind the families of individuals who's lives have been snatched away. Because as a people, our sense of self-respect runs so deep that it can no longer be described as an attempt of self respect. Our capacity of self-respect has been opened by our love for ourselves and community. Self-respect is only a synonym of self-love. Cmon Kendrick.
Wearing a suit, pulling up your pants, getting a degree, being President of the free world CAN STILL GET YOU KILLED in this country. Do not tell a person of color that if they follow said rules they will not be targeted.
IF YOU ARE ALIVE, YOU DESERVE LIFE. YOU ARE VALUABLE. PERIOD.
Kendrick, you my son. But you need to be enlightened to some things.
How did Kendrick's remarks make you feel?
Please comment below!
Evelyn