Rapper Macklemore took the opportunity during his acceptance speech Sunday night at the American Music Awards to blast what he sees as racial profiling in America, specifically in the shooting death of black teenager Trayvon Martin.
“Due to the fact that we are in Florida tonight accepting this award, I want to acknowledge Trayvon Martin and the hundreds and hundreds of kids each year that are dying due to racial profiling and the violence that follows it,” the white rapper said, even throwing in a Martin Luther King Jr. quote.
But former Rep. Allen B. West, a Florida Republican who is black, isn’t seeing the connection.
“This is a walking example of the low information voter. Is he unaware of the ’knockout game?’” Mr. West asked in a post on his blog titled “Rapper Macklemore Gets ’Stupid Award’ at AMA.” “Maybe he doesn’t know, as Kevin Jackson points out, that black people kill more black people every six months than the KKK did in 86 years. I hope this ’entertainer’ becomes familiar with the stories of 13-month-old Antonio West or 88-year-old Delbert Belton.
“If Mr. Macklemore is so concerned about his ’fans’ perhaps he should sing more about ending violence, being responsible citizens, getting a better education, and stronger families in the black community. I might recommend he take a civics class and learn there are no laws protecting or institutionalizing racism in America.
“It just never ceases to amaze me that some of these entertainers are so full of themselves as to believe they are competent political and social commentators. Mr. Macklemore, just shut up and sing, er, whatever it is that you do. Please leave serious intellectual analysis to those of us who live in the real world,” Mr. West concluded.
SEE ALSO: AMA winner Macklemore uses thank-you speech to rail on Trayvon Martin racism
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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