Rioter or Prophet?

by Leroy Moore/illin n chillin

When economist, sociologist, scientist and politicians predict the future of our society, we are thankful and continue to look for their advice. However when the messenger is outside of these professional sects, we question their motive and some times point our finger to the messenger when social conflicts happens. Many times the messengers for the young, urban residents and people of color are artists\activists. From James Baldwin, to Chuck D artists\activists have been predicting or warning about the social constrains in communities of color that have erupted into in civil upheaval but theses messengers have not been embraced by many professionals who are in a place of power to make the changes.

Matter-of-Fact when a messenger artistically communicate his\her’s message he or she is blame in starting protest or a riot. The LA riots and the riots in Paris France of 2005 have a lot in common. Both had prophets in the hip-hop arena trying to get their message to people in power about the situation that their neighbors are going through from unemployment, run down housing projects to police brutality. Before Rodney King beating and trail, LA Rap stars from Ice Tea to NWA were warning everybody about the tension in South Central and else where in LA. Even Movie director, Mike Singlter gave us a message in the 1998 movie, “Boyz-N-The Hood. Almost the same thing happened in Paris France. Rapper, Monsieur R, put his SOS out their but did the lawyers, economist, sociologist, and scientist and politicians listen?

Now hip-hop artists are the ones to blame for violence in their community. The same thing happen in the Blues when Blind Willie Johnson was arrested outside of Costume House in New Orleans in the 1920’s for singing his song, If I had My Way I’d Tear this Building Down. Police said by singing the song Johnson was trying to start a riot. Now in 2006 French politicians and lawmakers are using the same accuse against Monsieur R for his song, 'FranSSe' for starting the riots of 2005 that he penned almost a year before the riot. Monsieur R wrote the song after researching the living condition of his neighbors.

As a researcher\activist\poet I too have felt frustrated by the injustice of my disabled brothers and sisters of color. And like Monsieur R, Sister Soulter, Paris and many more, I too use my pen as a means of getting my message to my people and mainstream society. So am I going to be in front of a judge when my poems, If I Had A Gun, Hey Mr. White or Tell the Truth come out? No wonder I can’t find a publisher! Our so called political leaders are missing the meaning of our messages. If we can drag our artists\activists in court than why can’t we do the same with legislators whose ink has led many of us in prison, segregated schools, trapped in run down public housing and deported. These are the reasons why riots happen and today’s blunt disregard to some politicians, police and other so called “authority figure!” In this climate, Kanye West to Monsieur is what Audre Lord called “Truth Tellers!”