Hey Kanye, What Are YOU Doing For Chicago? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Hey Kanye, What Are YOU Doing For Chicago?

Instead of hiding behind his ego and his tweets, Yeezy has an opportunity to actually show that he cares for his hometown.

210
Hey Kanye, What Are YOU Doing For Chicago?
Instagram: @enews

By the time this article is published, it might have been old news. Maybe It will continue, maybe it will confirm his quasi-anticipated presidential run. Whatever happens at this point, I don’t think Kanye’s tweets about his support for Donald Trump needs any introduction.

Now, I seldom pay attention to anything at the intersection of celebrities and politics, simply because their wealth is an ultimate barrier between them and common people. Sure, there’s Oprah with #MeToo or Natalie Portman with Palestinian liberation, but in most cases, I have nothing to say about what celebrity says what about politics.

Then Kanye tweeted this, and I got more irked than I should have:

Trump supporters usually use this line as a talking point to discredit Democrats. On that point, they're not necessarily wrong.

But my problem is that people who use this line often use it to make it seem like as if they care for Chicago's marginalized communities.

Chicago is a town that I have called home for a great amount of time, and with that, I have become more educated on issues that primarily concern marginalized communities here in the city.

Can Kanye tell me anything about the fight for an elected Civilian Police Accountability Council and Chicago Public School board? What about justice for the countless civilians wrongfully killed by the police or fighting against a city ordinance that will make it a hate crime to protest such injustices?

If I were to sit down with Kanye, would I be able to have a constructive conversation with him about how gun violence in Chicago is rooted in a lack of funding of public schools and mental health centers in predominantly black areas of the city?

Unfortunately, I can't really say yes to any of these questions. Kanye is a wealthy celebrity, living hundreds of miles away in California and married into a family that could not care less about what's happening here in Chicago. And perhaps when I say I don't care what celebrities think politically, maybe this is why: because they don't care in return.

Kanye is a Chicago native, and just as how his fellow artist Chance the Rapper is helping the city, then maybe he should consider doing the same.

Instead of following in Trump supporters' footsteps and perpetuating tone-deaf claims about Chicago's problems, Kanye has a opportunity to show that maybe he does love his city after all.

Until then, well, I'll probably stay off Twitter.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

15 Times Michael Scott's Life Was Worse Than Your Life

Because have you ever had to endure grilling your foot on a George Foreman?

672
Michael Scott
NBC

Most of the time, the world's (self-proclaimed) greatest boss is just that, the greatest. I mean, come on, he's Michael Freakin' Scott after all! But every once in a while, his life hits a bit of a speed bump. (or he actually hits Meredith...) So if you personally are struggling through a hard time, you know what they say: misery loves company! Here are 15 times Michael Scott's life was worse than your life:

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

12 Midnight NYE: Fun Ideas!

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

15638
Friends celebrating the New Years!
StableDiffusion

When the clock strikes twelve midnight on New Year's Eve, do you ever find yourself lost regarding what to do during that big moment? It's a very important moment. It is the first moment of the New Year, doesn't it seem like you should be doing something grand, something meaningful, something spontaneous? Sure, many decide to spend the moment on the lips of another, but what good is that? Take a look at these other suggestions on how to ring in the New Year that are much more spectacular and exciting than a simple little kiss.

Keep Reading...Show less
piano
Digital Trends

I am very serious about the Christmas season. It's one of my favorite things, and I love it all from gift-giving to baking to the decorations, but I especially love Christmas music. Here are 11 songs you should consider adding to your Christmas playlists.

Keep Reading...Show less
campus
CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

3213
woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch
Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments