S. Samuel
Brooklyn rapper Talib Kweli is the latest hip-hop artist to not only speak out on securing justice for slain teenager Trayvon Martin but also rally against Florida's Stand Your Ground law.
According to reports, Kweli is in Tallahassee hoping to spark a new change.
Veteran emcee Talib Kweli joined the ongoing sit-in protests at the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee yesterday (August 8). For over three weeks protesters have occupied the state house demanding Governor Rick Scott call a special session of the state legislature to address concerns about the Stand Your Ground law that gained national attention after the killing of Trayvon Martin in 2012. The #TakeOverFL campaign is being led by the Dream Defenders organization. The group wants the Stand Your Ground law repealed, racial profiling banned, and for state legislators to review zero tolerance policies in schools. Kweli became the latest celebrity to visit the site. Harry Belafonte and Jesse Jackson have also traveled to the Capitol to support the Dream Defenders. (All Hip Hop)
Recently, Miami rapper Flo Rida agreed legislators need to take another look at Stand Your Ground and make a change.
“I disagree with the verdict and me being from Florida, it’s like I’m contracted into definitely supporting. I’m all about trying to make it a better environment and I’m starting by supplying jobs for anyone and having football leagues to make it a better place. Looking at the case, overall, my biggest thing is if the police tell you, ‘Eh, back off’ and you proceed, I think that’s enough to give you some time. So I definitely disagree with that verdict. [Abolish Stand Your Ground?] They need to come up with something better.” (“The Breakfast Club”)
Fellow Miami hip-hop artist Rick Ross did not hold back his feelings toward Zimmerman being acquitted for fatally shooting Martin when recently asked about it.
“I’m still angry,” Ross said. “I’m upset and really, really enraged. I’ve just been trying to keep from putting too much negative energy out there. So, you know, we’re just doing our thing behind our closed doors. But most definitely, that’s a big problem and something has to happen and it will.” (Global Grind)
The MMG boss recently touched on Florida’s Stand Your Ground with his new “I Wonder Why” track.
Rick Ross dropped a new song today, “I Wonder Why,” in which he ponders his life. On the track, Ross wonders why his brother is incarcerated and why his ambition continues to push him forward. The MMG honcho also indirectly references slain Trayvon Martin and the incident which led to his death in Rozay’s home state of Florida. “Now I’m being followed by some creepy a** cracker,” Ross raps, a seemingly thinly-veiled reference to vigilante George Zimmerman following Travyon. “Stand your ground! Stand your ground! You gotta stand your ground!” Ross cries. Zimmerman stood behind Florida’s controversial Stand Your Ground law to justify shooting Trayvon since he felt “threatened.” (RapFix)
