As Told To Ed Garnes: Killer Mike On September 11

11 September 2009 No Comment

You ‘d be hard pressed to find a rapper who can impart lessons on black liberation theology, examine white skin privilege, and quote Shakespeare in one sitting, but budding rap phenom Killer Mike just might be hip hop’s preeminent intellectual. I have had the pleasure of penning his print debut in 2000 and working with him on a variety of community events including From Afros To Shelltoes’ program Hip Hop Aint Dead She Just Got The Flu. And as I struggle to articulate my feelings on Sept 11, his sentiments during one of our talks, circa 01, are timeless.

ED: Though we have seen numerous displays of patriotism since Spet 11th, some Americans still see idealism and hypocrisy. Is democracy and freedom truly attainable?

KILLER MIKE: I am not willing to trade freedom for safety. I have different thoughts on Sept 11. As an American, I am shocked, horrified, and offended. In the whole conversation we have lost sight of some things. I am sad about the firemen, policemen, and innocent victims losing their lives. But I am not so sad that I forget that Mayor Giuliani was one of the worst mayors in terms of dealing with poor, homeless, and minorities. I am not gonna forget that racial profiling of young African Americans and Latino males was already an issue before young Arabic males was. In being a patriot and loving this country- and not wanting to be anywhere else- I’m not going to lose sight of the fact that injustices are being done continually. We can’t forget that while we deal with this tragedy. And when this is over, we are gonna have to look at what role we had in the injustice and persecution of others that would allow people to be sympathetic to the people that did this to us.

Killer Mike’s compilation album Underground , feat T.I., Gucci Mane, Soulja Boy and others, is in stores now. For more info on Killer Mike visit :

http://www.myspace.com/grindtimeonline

Award winning writer, educator, counselor, and activist Edward M. Garnes, Jr. is the founder of From Afros to Shelltoes Art, Action, and Conversation, a nationally acclaimed series of cultural productions confronting the social divide between elders and hip hop heads. The 2009 Atlanta Tribune Men Of Distinction holds a B.A. in English Writing from DePauw University and a M.A. in Counseling from Michigan State University . His seminal essay, ” Sweet Tea Ethics: Black Luv, Healthcare, and Cultural Mistrust,” currently appears in Not In My Family: AIDS in the African American Community, a 2007 NAACP Image Award nominated collection edited by Gil Robertson. (www.afrostoshelltoes.com).