The black community has had many struggles and adversities since the days of emancipation. Over the centuries and recent decades in America, we have dealt with the toxic poison of white supremacy. It has taken root and has become a part of the DNA of this country. This virulent social construct permeates every facet of society. Its tentacles have a tight hold and rotted the areas of housing, education, the legal system, the prison system, politics, finance, etc. With all of this and how the media strategically devalues black lives, it has slowly engrained a negative psychological effect on a number of minds in Black America. Colorism, self-hate, coonism, and plain ol’ poor choices have sapped our strength in claiming our full selves to this day.
Despite all these issues, the black community has stood tall and strong. We have contributed in science, engineering, business, athletics, finance, medicine, social work, art, and music. We literally have become the face of American culture through our accomplishments in the most recognizable industries of music and sports. The term “We are the culture” rings far and true around the world. Unfortunately, we as black people are still troubled by the constant crush of racism and the effects that plague us from within. It has shown so obviously in the bright lights of our music artform… Hip-Hop.
In the moments when we should be shining at our best from financial success and public adulation, the Hip-Hop community has suffered its greatest losses in the untimely demise of many artists such as Big L, Jam Master Jay, Freaky Tah, Soulja Slim, Biggie Smalls, Tupac, Proof, XXXtentacion, Nipsey Hussle, Pop Smoke and many, many more. Our most recent loss was Takeoff, 1/3 member of the rap group Migos. His murder is one recent tragedy that has been the inspiration for this proclamation you’re reading right now. Although the ending of our brothers’ lives came too early, we, as the black community, understand that some of their actions may have contributed to their deaths. Just as we can be aware of that, we can also be aware of what we as a people have fallen short of in our own communities.
It’s, for this reason, we have decided to support this 8-point proclamation as a means of speaking to black communities across America to accept our part in our own fallibility but also for Hip-Hop artists to take responsibility in their music and actions as public figures. If we are truly a Hip-Hop culture as many speak of then we must do what we must not only for the culture’s survival but also for it to achieve its best expression for generations to come.
Although some of these points are already active in black communities, some positive intentions will be officially established as universal understandings within this directive. The 8-point proclamation is as follows:
- The No Kill Vow
- End the “Nigga” Challenge
- Build Business Ownership
- Mental Health Healing
- Power in politics!
- Rethink the Gang
- Community Policing
- Hip-Hop…Hear US!
- The No Kill Vow
There are so many things that cause conflicts in the hood. We understand that the stresses of living in lower economic status doesn’t help the health of the community. However, by contributing to our own death in traumatic interactions only helps a racist system in our continued destruction. Regardless of what may be unbearable, we vow to refrain from killing our own people over petty arguments. Understanding our current condition and why we’re in this situation can change our attitude. We must persevere. Our future is in each other. We must see the value in us individually and as a community. Believing in us is a formula to success!
2. End the “Nigga” Challenge
The N-word is a hot-button topic that has been the center of discussion as far back as we can remember. Some people see no issue with the use, however, some others despise the continued utterance of this word. In many public interviews, rap artists have embraced the term and it can be heard in every rap song, on every radio station, and in every online conversation.
As a global powerhouse, Hip-Hop has become the music genre for millions of people. Unfortunately, Hip-Hop has also become a medium that displays our deep, personal trauma. The N-word which is a part of so many songs has allowed non-black folks to use the word freely. This can no longer continue. If we make the culture and the trends that come from the art form then we can also put energy into destroying that very word just as easily. Realizing the ironic moments, we are witnesses to, it’s time we take the effort to destroy the behavior that gives this word power. It must be done. We will kill the word. Lay it to rest. To start, we can replace that word with something else.
3. Build Business Ownership
Support Positive Development. Black business is important! It creates an economy for the local community, strengthens family ties and becomes the foundation for positive growth where we live. It’s not all about becoming a Fortune 500 company. It’s about supporting local entrepreneurship in food markets, construction companies, car washes, mechanic shops, real estate, clothing stores, laundromats, etc. A community thrives when it can take control of its own business sectors.
4. Mental Health Healing
Mental health is extremely important for the positive development of a person and society. Black folk have dealt with unbelievable trauma and we continue to go through the same treatment today. It hasn’t gone away at all. It’s well known by educator Dr. Joy Degruy’s analysis of Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome (P.T.S.S.) within the black population. Every injurious, negative experience we’ve lived with for generations has been ingrained in our very DNA. If we can understand that we can understand how we have not come clean in fixing ourselves post-slavery or recognizing our current social traumas. It’s time we put mental health front and center as we handle other aspects of rebuilding our communities.
5. Power in politics!
Get involved with your local politics, knowing that national politics has its limitations. Local politics is the key. Become your city mayors, council members, public advocates, etc. You can change your neighborhood and improve your local areas with initiatives that will revitalize our communities. If there are little to no opportunities, we will create them for neighborhoods in need.
6. Rethink the Gang.
Gangs are an ongoing problem in cities across America. Youth seek each other out in groups to find an escape to their problems. It continues from one generation to the next within the youth looking for connection. Yet, there is something else that continues from one generation to the next. Poverty. Based on built-in structural racism that undercuts peoples’ ability to advance, broken homes are the inescapable result that leads to human dysfunction. It’s the youth that feels abandoned, left out and discarded. This leads young men and women to handle stress on their own. They seek peers with similar backgrounds to not feel alone in their anguish. We must break the cycle. We need to intervene and turn these groups into something healthy for them. The comradery in these groups are not the problem but the angst that develops from within is. What we need is to create spaces for the youth to seek out what makes each of them tick and direct them towards constructive skills that will bring out the best in them. Take these gangs and change their perspective.
7. Community Policing – Take responsibility in your community.
We are fully aware of the threat of police brutality in our neighborhoods. The amount of video and audio recordings has gone viral day in and day out. The evidence of police aggression can fill the halls of libraries across America. In some states, where progress has been made to curtail police misconduct, PDs have made the choice to silently protest by refraining from doing their jobs. They hope to force the hands of local politicians by starving the city from what they have gained through ticketing and other established local laws. Well, we can choose to handle our communities our own way.
The community will have to step up and protect its own blocks. However, we know it’s more than that. It’s about resources, jobs & opportunities to eliminate low-level crimes that occur around our homes. We will engage our local politicians and press for what we need. At the same time, the community will police itself to discourage illegal activities that threaten our quality of life. It’s time we step up and demand our politicians to not only provide proper social programs that are needed in our neighborhoods but also our involvement in protecting our family and friends.
8. Hip-Hop…Hear US!
Hip-Hop has been a part of our world since 1973. We have loved, bounced, chanted, blasted, and danced to 5 decades of this music art form. In this art form, it has birthed rap, breakdancing, graffiti, and beatboxing. All these manifestations have gone global and are represented in every country around the world. Unfortunately, we have also witnessed the seediest, grimiest parts the music business puts in front of us. We, the community, know of the exploitation and demand something different. Balance is needed and we want Hip-Hop artists to know that the audience wants something more. We demand more from artists to bring better artistry to the music.
We’re aware media only asks what the artist wants in the music yet they never talk to the masses about what they want. Hip-Hop is not just for the youth. We are now parents, uncles, aunts, older brothers and sisters. We lived this art form and love everything that has become… the good and bad. Now, we know what is needed and we’re making our voices heard. Hip-Hop needs to mature. It needs to grow. We don’t want to replace or shut down what’s heard. All we want is balance. Let the changes we make in our communities be reflected in the music that’s on the radio and internet. It’s time to see Hip-Hop become better!