From: Matthew Glesne (mglesne_at_sbcglobal.net)
Date: 2004-10-15 23:45:39
i had to check on this -- and of course, we find out
it is a New York Daily News article (tabloid) - and
the comments were taken out of context. He made clear
directly before the "cheering" quote that he was
speaking for a section of american society, not
himself, and those who had been discriminated and
beaten by WTC security. He tried to go on to speak
about the victims and other side but was cut off by
the interviewer. That stuff doesn't sell broadsheet
newspapers. Full respone from Kris is below. All I
have to say is that sometimes stigmas and dogmas have
to be broken - and real feelings expressed.
Matt
KRS One Rebuttal To NY Daily News Article
KRS-One
Like everyone I was shocked to read that I and other
African-Americans actually “cheered when 911 happened”
and that I have “declared my solidarity with Al
Qaeda”. When I read my words taken out of context I
was shocked and disappointed that the Daily News would
go this far to assassinate my character and distort my
views.
Such statements with no follow up explanation or
interview from KRS-ONE as to what he may have meant or
even a complete quote of my point is simply
irresponsible journalism on the Daily News’ part. I
would never just say something as crazy as “we cheered
when 911 happened!” I was making an objective point
about how many Hiphoppas as well as the oppressed
peoples of the world felt that day.
I am a philosopher and a critical thinker, I speak
truth and I urge people to think critically about
themselves and their environment. Yes, my words are
strong. Yes, my views are controversial. But to call
me a terrorist is simply wrong!
A young lady asked about what we can do beyond voting
to change the political state of things in our
country? I responded not by irresponsibly stating that
“America has to commit suicide if the world is to be a
better place” and that’s all. I am a poet and I speak
poetically. My full statement was “America has to
commit suicide if the world is to be a better place.
If you want to go beyond voting American interests
must put a gun to its head and commit suicide because
as long as we are only interested in American
interests we go out and invade the rest of the world.
The real question is are you a citizen of the United
States or are you a citizen of the world? And so for
me, I would say voting in a corrupt society adds more
corruption.”
I was asked by the New Yorker magazine to discuss
“different and personal beliefs musicians hold and the
contribution artists like myself can make to the
nation’s political dialog”. My views were indeed
different and most were personal. However, when I was
asked about why Hiphop has not engaged the current
situation more (meaning 911) my responds was “because
it does not affect us, or at least we don’t perceive
that it effects us, 911 happened to them”. I went on
to say that “I am speaking for the culture now; I am
not speaking my personal opinion”. I continued to say;
“911 effected them down the block; the rich, the
powerful those that are oppressing us as a culture.
Sony, RCA or BMG, Universal, the radio stations, Clear
Channel, Viacom with BET and MTV, those are our
oppressors those are the people that we’re trying to
overcome in Hiphop everyday, this is a daily thing. We
cheered when 911 happened in New York and say that
proudly here. Because when we were down at the trade
center we were getting hit over the head by cops, told
that we can’t come in this building, hustled down to
the train station because of the way we dressed and
talked, and so on, we were racially profiled. So, when
the planes hit the building we were like; mmmm
justice.” And just as I began to say “now of course a
lot of our friends and family were lost there as well”
but I was interrupted.
My intent is never to demean or disrespect anyone’s
loss or gain; and of course I did not literally “cheer
when 911 happened”. I made an objective statement
about the feelings of those who were oppressed by
world trade policies. I was just as saddened as
everyone else on 911. However, for many of us that
were racially profiled and harassed by the World’s
Trade Center’s security and the police patrolling that
area as well as the thousands of American protesters
that spoke out against the World Trade Organization
months before in Seattle, Washington there was a sense
of justice, a sense of change, a wake up call watching
the twin towers fall.
These are not my views only; these views represent a
popular truth that few people are really ready to
hear. No one wished death on anyone or just sat and
“cheered when 911 happened”. But some of us can see
through the bullshit! America must change its approach
to the world and its citizens. This, I believe is what
all Americans should be thinking about. How do we make
our country better?
For years my career has been one of promoting peace,
love, unity and having fun; such has always been
Hiphop’s cultural principles. So how all of a sudden
now can I be aligned with Al Qaeda? What happened to
honest debate and freedom of speech! I don’t speak for
the African American community exclusively, I speak
for HIPHOP! And let me be clear here; most of the
Hiphop community is against the war in Iraq! But to
align me with Al Qaeda is clearly an attempt by the
Daily News to interrupt the street voice of our Hiphop
community, KRS-ONE’s leadership and the increased
momentum of our Hiphop political movement.
I don’t think Al Qaeda needs my solidarity nor did I
ever offer it, so what’s the point. For a major news
organization to now align KRS-ONE with Al Qaeda shows
the unwarranted contempt that such an organization has
for me. Such is grounds for a law suit!
Finally, no one should ever believe anything that the
one-sided Daily News has to say about the same Hiphop
community that it (the Daily News) has tried so
desperately to undermine for years. The only thing the
Daily News seems to be interested in is scandal and
controversy and for years I have challenged the Daily
News on its depictions of Rap artists and Hiphop as a
whole.
I know they don’t like me. However, I don’t give a
---- either! They never cover our efforts toward peace
and all the charitable work we do within the Hiphop
community. They never air our grievances or how we
feel about the state of the world, nor have they ever
aired our views on America’s invasion of Iraq simply
because they just don’t want to hear them. The Hiphop
community forces America to look at itself; and no one
likes to take b.l.a.m.e. for their own for immaturity
Because Looking At Me ain’t Easy!
For the record, I am an American philosopher. I speak
and seek truth. If the slander that the Daily News has
printed regarding my political views has
disrespectfully offended anyone in any way I truly
apologize. Again, it was never my or Hiphop’s intent
to disregard, disrespect or demean the tragedy of
September 11th 2001 and those that died that day.
However, we do have a voice and a point of view and if
you are not prepared to hear what Hiphop has to say
about its view of world events then don’t ask!