Russell Simmons has tackled Jay-Z over his recent criticisms of the Occupy Wall Street movement.
A still prominent force in American politics, Occupy Wall Street remains a contentious force. Jay-Z became an outspoken supporter of the cause, but recently admitted doubts over some of the views expressed by the Occupy movement.
Speaking to the New York Times, Jay-Z said: “I think all those things need to really declare themselves a bit more clearly. Because when you just say that ‘the one percent is that,’ that’s not true. Yeah, the one percent that’s robbing people, and deceiving people, these fixed mortgages and all these things, and then taking their home away from them, that’s criminal, that’s bad. Not being an entrepreneur. This is free enterprise. This is what America is built on.”
Responding, hip hop mogul Russell Simmons tweeted: “J. @occupywallstreet is not a blanket indictment of the rich its an indictment of a system that let’s the rich bribe R government, luv u”
Expanding on this, Russell Simmons has penned a piece of editorial for Global Grind (via Pitchfork). It’s pretty stirring stuff, full of Simmons’ trademark heart on sleeve rhetoric.
Closing, the hip hop svengali wrote:
“So, Jay, here’s the deal. You’re rich and I’m rich. But, today it’s close to impossible to be you or me and get out of Marcy Projects or Hollis, Queens without changing our government to have our politicians work for the people who elect them and not the special interests and corporations that pay them. Because we know that these special interests are nothing special at all. In fact, they spend millions of dollars destroying the fabric of the black community and make billions of dollars in return… If we have to occupy Wall Street or occupy All Streets to change the course of direction of this nation, then we must. We must take our democracy off the market and let the world know that it is no longer for sale! Mic check!”
Read the full article HERE.
