Justice for Ya’ll

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Justice for Ya’ll (c) Teo Castellanos D-Projects)

I have a very dear friend currently doing a life bid. He hates prison, understandably, so. I’d hate it too. I’m sure he feels claustrophobic. I ‘m sure he’d love to have his sentenced shortened, I’m sure he’d love to be able to serve his sentence at his home with his two children rather than never seeing them.

But he’s poor. And Black. And his pops doesn’t own anything but the house he lives in and the car he drives. And even though he spit a nice rhyme back in the day, he isn’t famous to anyone but those of us who love him.

I say this to say what should be obvious to anyone paying attention: Justice in this country isn’t reserved for us. Since its obvious whiteness will garner you more freedom, attention, opportunities by itself, I’m not going to address that at the moment; Id like to focus for a minute on the fame and wealth, a classism that is becoming a new virulent form of shutting down the masses.

It seems daily you can see examples of rappers, athletes and other assorted business folks getting slap on the wrist sentences for actions that would have you or me doing serious time, paying serious fines and facing significant repercussions on a personal and professional level.

In the world of celebrity however, these punishments only add to their fame and status. Its not just acceptable but expected that a rapper to be arrested on weapons or assault charges; it has become a time-honored tradition that DMX will be stopped on traffic violations at least one a month.

Somewhere along the way, we fans have fucked up and have stopped holding these folks accountable for their actions for the very basic reason that they provide us some sort entertainment. For every Kim & Shyne who are sent away you have a Yayo and Busta running free.

Now, at the same time I think there enough Black men in prisons as it is, so I’m voting not guilty on any jury I get stuck on; however, there is a level of personal accountability that is not being met by these celebrities that we ourselves have placed in such high levels of esteem. We, as the fans with the purchase power to put them in their place, need to step up and start doing so. Send a message to a rapper- we are no longer amused by you throwing napkins in the club. Start acting right.