Cyrus Langhorne
Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA recently shared his thoughts on police brutality and spoke on the positive impact black youth’s outfits could have on law enforcement interaction.
In RZA’s opinion, dressing more appropriately could possibly lessen harassment from cops.
“When you think about some of the brothers who are being brutalized by the police, you also got to have them take a look, and us take a look , in the mirror, at the image we portray. If I’m a cop and every time I see a young black youth, whether I watch them on TV, movies, or just see them hanging out, and they’re not looking properly dressed, properly refined, you know, carrying himself, conducting himself proper hours of the day—things that a man does, you’re going to have a certain fear and stereotype of them. I tell my sons, I say, if you’re going somewhere, you don’t have to wear a hoodie–we live in New York, so a hoodie and all that is all good. But sometimes, you know, button up your shirt. Clean up. Look like a young man. You’re not a little kid, you know what I mean? I think that’s another big issue we gotta pay attention to. Is the image that we portray that could invoke a fear into a white officer, or any officer.” (Bloomberg Politics)
Back in November, rap star Meek Mill released footage of police brutality on his Instagram page.
A few weeks ago, rapper Young Thug spoke out on police brutality.
Ferguson makes me cry I don't ever want to go there, unless we take on the cops.
— Young Thug ひ (@youngthug) November 1, 2015
This made me cry!!
They tryin to kill us all…
pray for Ferguson
GOD HELP US PLEASE!! #AMEN https://t.co/JlUruKU34K— Young Thug ひ (@youngthug) November 1, 2015
https://instagram.com/p/9jpCYTxzwA/
Recently, rap veteran Ja Rule talked about the importance of African Americans recognizing the Black Lives Matter police brutality awareness movement.
“If Black Lives don’t matter to Black Lives, who the f*ck else is it going to matter to?” Ja asks sternly. “So I know it all starts with us. I want to see bigger movements. I don’t want to see Black on Black on violence no more. I want to see us root for each other, and I want to see us be happy to see the next man win. And it starts with messages like this that I’m sending. I don’t have no malice toward that Black man that I had drama with. I wish him all the success in the world.” (VIBE)
he’s right…pull up your pants!!!
yup he right
Exactly. Quit going around looking like a worthless ass thug and maybe you’ll get treated better. This is just how it works. No matter race. You don’t expect some high notch company to hire you looking like a fucking hoodlum. You dress to impress. Your mama shoulda told you heathens this shit. You get one chance to make a good first impression. Use that with the cops just as you would when you applying for a good job. It’s not rocket science people.
right
Wait, RZA of WU-TANG CLAN is saying this?!
right we should not be judged but in this world we are. so act like you been living in it and plan for it, or deal with the unfairness.
I wish it weren’t like this, but the way you dress is very important. People do judge by dress code, and almost everyone should know this from job interviews. Well that mentality is way bigger than just interviews. The way you dress is the way people see you. First impressions are very important in this world and that applies to all ethnicities. And honestly, no grown man should be walking around with his pants sagging below his butt cheeks. Pull ya damn pants up.