#BLM: Artists Speak Out

Working on the Athens Hip Hop in Solidarity project was monumental to me. Seeing so many artist come together for the greater good was surely iconic, and I hope that this will spark us to all unite more. I met new artists, caught up with artists I haven’t seen in a while, and was blessed enough to get to work with some artists that I’ve always looked up to. It was truly an honor. I do want people to take the time to listen to it and take heed to its messages. Hear our cry, understand our plight. Lastly, know that there is a huge issue(s) that we all have to acknowledge. That issue is Racism. I loved sitting in between songs and just having the conversations that we had. The room was filled with both black and white people, and we all discussed how we grew up. One thing we all had in common was that racism is taught. We noticed that when we all were younger we didn’t see color, we just had fun and saw good people; our parents are whom taught us that there was a color barrier. We also learned that although racism is learned, it can be unlearned. We all, no matter our color or upbringing, had to deal with ourselves and grow to see past a person’s color. That personal battle with ourselves is what helped us in that moment understand each other. We were just people in a room talking, laughing, relating. I’ve been saying it for years: when you mix black and white you get gray. That gray to me is truth and understanding and respect. That gray is always gray no matter how much white or how much black you add to it . The shade may change but yet it remains gray.

This project I believe will help us all to work towards seeing the gray, if that makes sense.

Locally, there’s a huge color barrier in Athens and it’s evident. It’s not invisible, and everyone knows it. Black community organizations and businesses need more support, more equal opportunities, more funding. Period. It’s simple really. I think that people should, and quote me , WAKE THE FUCK UP and stop pretending that there isn’t a race issue here. There are bars that use a dress code to specifically discriminate against color, there are jobs that we can’t get because of color, places where it is uncomfortable for us to be because of how we feel when we walk in. Our people make up the majority of the consumer population in the United States, and we play a huge role in the economic development nationwide and locally. We do not have the resources, the teachings, the opportunity to learn how to run a business. We are not given a chance to create wealth for ourselves and our families. Our lives, our families, our children, our struggle, do not matter. If our officials and leadership gave a damn, they’d allocate more funds to the low income communities. People who are not from there are completely Ignorant to what actually goes on. Even in 2020 Some neighborhoods still use clothing lines to dry clothes, the floors are concrete, the rooms are small, the walls are mildewed, the sinks the toilets the bathtubs are rusted, the apartment buildings are roach and rat infested, when something breaks it’ll never get fixed...never, the ceilings have dry rot and holes. My people live like animals, but WE ARE NOT ANIMALS. We are human beings who have been trampled over, overworked, underpaid, oppressed, restricted, beaten, and killed. It’s sickening to me, and should be sickening to others as well, that this still exists. The place that I grew up in still looks the same after 20 plus years. Yet we find money for greenways, bike trails, and hotels. We can find money to repave streets and build houses, we find money to destroy black communities but not to renovate them. We find money for gentrification! You have money to build hotels and dorms right next door to where we all know the population is predominantly black.

Most times our police officers are patrolling areas they’ve never been, they are policing people that they don’t know.

Our law and our community is divided. UGA and our locals are divided, our neighborhoods are divided, our wealth is divided. Our community as a whole is divided because people don’t want to be about the change. Where’s the action? Where’s the plan ? Where’s the understanding that there are some Athens officials whom have swept this shit under the rug for too long.

“We must not replace the rug; we must throw away the rug and clean what was swept under it.”

Athens has potential to be a greater community! We could start what needs to be done worldwide...right here in our own backyard, but this community will never reach its greatness until it allows us all to reach ours.

I’d like to see the gap in classism close. The effects of classism has many on both ends of the spectrum separating themselves and others, based on what society has labeled their social class. Many are treated in a particular manner, mostly negative, by the other based on their status and assumed to act as promoted to the general public.

I’d like to see the prejudices of some of the downtown Athens bars, pubs, etc. wiped. I haven’t been in Athens for a while, but I distinctly remember NO ENTRY signs that targeted black male fashion. In some cases, even if you met the criteria, the bouncers were instructed to say that you were dressed “over-casual”. What’s that?And the most often used is “It’s a private party bro,” which in some cases were true, but I was connected and knew people that worked in most of these establishments. They just didn’t want particular people there, and they based that off how an individual dressed. I’ve been able to enter most of these establishments in my past with no issues, unbeknownst that it was my local celebrity status, and distinct identification via my big ball necklace and nose ring, that granted me access. When brought to my attention, I tried entering without my signature accessories and was educated on the treatment of the regular black guy. Once I was refused to enter a bar because I had on a plain black tee shirt while my song, Liquor, was blasting from inside of it. Weird feeling. I have ALOT of these stories.

I’d like our police to have better training. I don’t think they need to pacify, but I do think they, in general, should be more conscious of the respect that should be given to everyone, regardless of race or status. I believe there is such a thing as someone not being qualified to do a particular job, though their intent may be honorable. Thoroughly screening a potential policeman is important and should be taken seriously, as some have just as many mental disorders as the ones they’ve sworn to serve and protect. Some have anger issues, and it pours into their work. And some, yes, they took the job for all the wrong reasons. I think we need fair but stern law enforcement. Fair is what seems to be missing. I also think that if a policeman breaks a law, that he/she shouldn’t be excused or treated less than any civilian that would’ve broken that same law. I think at that point, they’ve forfeited the respect of their badge. There is a long history of police officers that are simply reassigned to another department or agency after committing a crime, even regarding murder.

I’d like to not feel like a criminal when entering an establishment. Sometimes you can feel the energy and eyes on you as if you are expected to steal or do something wrong. Or, because of what your appearance may be, deemed as though you don’t belong. Speaking on that, in all honesty, I’d prefer an establishment to make it clear that their place of business does not welcome my race or status before I enter with intention to spend my money. I guess I should apply that to downtown pubs as well, huh?

In general, I’d just like to see unity amongst the people. We all have our differences and beliefs, but I strongly believe that those differences are not the deciding factor in showing kindness to one another, unless your beliefs are stemmed from hate, prejudices, envy, etc. I believe all of those differences are what makes us beautiful, that and living in harmony.

I’d like to see more people vote locally. I think if we affect the root, the tree will grow fruit with whatever seeds we plant. I think that would also have an affect on race relations.

A change that I want to see in the Athens community is everyone taking a look in the mirror. Every race and occupation. Think about what you can do personally to help race relations and civil liberties. After that, take action. If we are not willing to take action to make a change, how can we expect others to?

I’ve noticed that some of the people in Athens only come together when there’s an event or a crisis going on, and then they separate again. I would like to see the day when Athens doesn't just come together for an event or crisis but come together because we genuinely want to and stay together.

Honestly, I’m glad to see progress is happening not only in Athens but around the world. But for Athens specifically, I would love to see more foundations built around Athens. Like maybe a community or organization that focuses mainly on the topic of black lives matter. To educate and bring more awareness to the issue that’s going on around us.

The most crucial negative experience I have personally endured and would like to see changed immediately is the discrimination and conviction of dress codes for these "high end" bars and the attitude of these buisness’ employees (if not a whole new roster). Hell, even some owners display the same negative interpretation and judgement towards a specific demographic of people who wish to do nothing more than enjoy a night out and financially indulge in whatever products and services may be offered.

I would like to see a change in the handling of our city officials that are truly out to help the entire community. For example, ex-chief Freeman, who I knew personally, who wanted to better the relationship between local police and at-risk communities by having bonding sessions and also by having me meet with all new rookies so they can understand that black faces don't mean crime. Also, Dr. Means, school board district head, who was implementing a plan of equalizing learning systems in Clarke County, which from a statistical point of view seems to be very racist. He put together a plan that was going to help lower scoring and rank black students up to the level of learning of everyone else and their grades, as opposed to planting them together and pushing them along. I do know that it was rejected by a good bit of teachers (mostly white). He was then ran out of office. I did meet Dr. Means personally and as well understood his plan. It was a good one for Clark county all around.

What I’d like to see change around Athens is the ability for everyone to be able to adapt to the environment they are in and be comfortable. We should be able to feel the same level of home, love, and welcome wherever we are not just around Athens but the world. I feel like as far as the music goes, it’s all good until someone speaks out about the way that they feel about a situation that everyone knows is wrong but won’t say it. When you do speak on it, it’s a problem. What needs to change is us as rappers having the ability to be able to say nah we don’t feel this and it not be a fucking problem the same way Republicans can say whatever about our low income homes and high incarceration percentages. We should be able to remind America we are in these times and conditions because of the bullshit we’ve constantly dealt with for as long as America has been founded. LITERALLY, they never gave us a fair chance to get on our feet.