Re: [acid-jazz] knowledge reigns supreme?

From: Matthew Glesne (mglesne_at_sbcglobal.net)
Date: 2004-10-15 23:45:39

  • Next message: Erik Gaderlund: "Re: [acid-jazz] knowledge reigns supreme?"

    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!