Because of social media and other news outlets, the public is now more than ever aware of crimes against the black community. While some public figures have came forward to speak that something must be done, other popular celebrities stay quiet to the cause. One celebrity, who has neither stayed quiet nor embraced the cause, is rapper Asap Rocky.
Around the time of the Ferguson, MO, incident, Asap Rocky was asked if he was being “forced to address these issues” in an interview with TimeOut Magazine. His response was a bit alarming.
While he boasts of living in Soho and Beverly Hills, it’s comical that he forgets that he was actually raised in Harlem, a far cry from posh neighborhoods like the ones he’s claiming now. As we have seen, it’s not just Ferguson that’s affected by senseless violence against black citizens.
I get it. Not everyone wants to hold up signs and march through the streets calling for change. Often times celebrities try to remove themselves from the role model title. Well, it comes with the territory, so deal with it.
Asap took to twitter to express that this is an old interview and people shouldn’t bash him, but public figures need to be reminded to be careful how they express their views. Like it or not, kids look up to people like Asap Rocky. If he thinks it’s ok to ignore the problems because of where he lives now, as opposed to where he grew up, then what message does that send?