RESPECT. My Take: A Statement to Rudy Giuliani

Here’s what they think about you

– Ice Cube

Earlier today, former Attorney General of the United States, Rudy Giuliani went on CBS’ Face The Nation to address the recent events in our country, namely #BlackLivesMatter. Giuliani, now known equally for outlandish comments as he once was for his leadership abilities, decided to hold up to his reputation. When asked about his opinion on the #BlackLivesMatter movement, the former mayor of New York City stated that the collective was “inherently racist” and insinuated that the group only shows out for police brutality.

When you say black lives matter, that’s inherently racist. White lives matter, Asian lives matter, Hispanic lives matter,” he said. “Of course black lives matter, and they matter greatly. But when you focus in on one percent, of less than one percent, of the murder that’s going on in America, an you make it a national thing … much bigger than the black kid that’s getting killed in Chicago every 14 hours, you create a disproportion.

But wait, that’s not even the best part. The former presidential candidate then took to stating that the greatest danger to black people is…. wait for it…. themselves!

A black will die one percent or less at the hands of the police, and 99 percent at the hands of a civilian, most often another black,” Giuliani said, downplaying and sidestepping the issue of police shootings that sparked the Black Lives Movement.”If you want to deal with this on the black side, you’ve got to teach your children to be respectful to the police, and you’ve got to teach your children that the real danger to them is not the police.

After hearing these incredibly irresponsible comments, along with ones where he claims that the BLM movement “sings rap songs about killing police officers”, I felt I had no choice but to openly respond to Rudy Giuliani.

First off, anybody with a brain who has watched this brief interview, can sense that Giuliani completely lacks empathy for victims of police brutality. Multiple times he makes comments such as, “some people find it rational, some find it irrational” when speaking on the African American male’s fear of the police.

Excuse me?

Last time I checked, Giuliani isn’t nor has ever been an African American man so how can he, or anybody who isn’t black, speak on whether the fear is rational or not? MR. GIULIANI YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN A BLACK MAN BEING STOPPED BY AN OFFICER EVER IN YOUR LIFE!

Now to address his comments about the BLM and their involvement in black on black crime in places like Chicago. Okay, so you say we need to focus more on the black males dying every 14 hours in Chicago. Well, you obviously haven’t heard of organizations such as CeaseFire or artists like Vic Mensa who are constantly fighting for a variety of issues plaguing the black community.

Also, I’m no statistician, I’m just a regular ol’ Hip-Hop head with access to a publication, but doesn’t an American citizen, regardless of color, dying every 14 hours reflect poorly on the police department? Tax payers pay money to employ these people who, when are called upon to help the black man in need, don’t respond respond promptly enough. Why is it that a black man being murdered every 14 hours has to be a “black issue”?

WE ARE AMERICANS, IT IS AN AMERICAN ISSUE.

The only time skewed politicians like Giuliani want to address this is when we are fighting a government issue. Black on black violence is a real problem in our country, yes, but it’s a problem that we are working to fix. It’s also a problem that we need help fixing from outside sources such as local politicians. But bringing up this issue during this time is incredibly irresponsible. Giuliani sounds like my girlfriend when I’m finally able to win an argument and she brings up something else to deflect responsibility, it’s just incredibly childish and gets nothing fixed — I’ll pay for that comment later. All it does is downplay the current issue at hand which is that innocent black males are being gunned down by cops who are being set free.

To hear Giuliani consistently state that it’s on black families to stop black on black crime is saddening to say the least. Rudy Giuliani, was once perceived to be an American hero during our time of turmoil after 9/11. While George was hiding in the Bushes — word play is great isn’t it? — Giuliani stepped up as a leader our the country against terrorism that he almost parlayed into a presidency. Why can’t you be that leader for our African American people? Why can’t you use that same moxie and knack for leadership for us?

It’s because you don’t care to do so.

If a member of ISIS dropped a bomb on Chicago right now, I bet you would run to the first camera you could find to try and be there for black Americans, but when it’s a cop or another American, you stay silent. That’s as cowardly as they come.

In all, police brutality in incredibly real and it is happening as we speak. Black on black violence, unfortunately, is happening as well. No problem is more important than the other, but the issue of police brutality is what we are attempting to tackle RIGHT NOW. To everybody marching and protesting with the BLM movement, keep it going. Your strength and courage is making a change even if you can’t directly see it. Don’t let ignorant politicians like Giuliani deter you from making your mark. YOU can be the spark to the change that we need. Also, don’t stop playing the music. Giuliani can act like this is the L.A. Riots and people are bumping “Fu*k The Police” but these days our people are opting for the more peaceful, “Alright“.

Let’s choose to love and treat each other with respect even when it’s easier said than done. You matter, he matters, she matters, we all matter. And to Giuliani, preaching #BlackLivesMatter does not downplay the importance of another’s life, it just simply creates strength in numbers for a group of people who are obviously crying for help. Instead of bashing the movement, help us make things better.

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