12.4.17: Philadelphia – (Politics): Philadelphia has endeared itself to Chicago’s Vic Mensa, a Roc Nation artist, for the way its residents have rallied behind his roster-mate Meek Mill, the superstar rapper likely made even more famous due to his November sentencing to prison for parole violations.
“Don’t let up… we admire y’all,” Mr. Mensa said, before declaring in Philadelphia last Friday night, when he opened for headliner Jay-Z, that “we gonna get Meek Mill free.”
Meek Mill’s unfortunate, though some would argue deserved, circumstances have ignited an awareness of criminal injustice among those traditionally not involved in civic engagement. In other words, the audience at a recent #FreeMeekMill rally in Center City Philadelphia drew many faces unseen at regularly occurring town halls, protests and organizing meetings in the city about issues germane to the criminal justice system.
So, given that Roc Nation’s agenda has thus far attracted new listeners and voices to an important conversation, there’s a social value present, and also tremendous potential. But, whereas, the agenda is centered in a personality, and appears to exclude the sweat equity and lived experiences of many local grassroots activists who everyday in Philadelphia lament the criminal justice system, the outcome appears to be the liberation of one rather than many. Said another way: it seems the movement is deemed successful only when Meek Mill is freed, not when policies which damage communities, like cash bail, are reversed.
Certainty, it’s fair and possible to question Roc Nation’s motives in this moment without casting aspersions on its chief, Jay-Z, whom I believe to be genuinely concerned about race-relations, police brutality and the justice system (he has donated more than a $1 million to Black Lives Matter). Nonetheless, Roc Nation is a business and Meek Mill is an investment which can’t be hampered by a jail sentence. Meek Mill’s job is to earn returns for the label which promotes him. Incarceration of a star equals loss revenue, and that’s bad for business.
The #FreeMeekMill movement is youthful activism informed by the protection of an asset. And the majority of its participators, I assume, are driven by fanaticism. That isn’t to say, though, that either of the aforementioned are disqualifying and that the movement can’t have a social impact.
Raising the profile of the criminal justice reform conversation is important work to which the #FreeMeekMill movement has contributed. And, I’ll reiterate: its ability to attract and mobilize younger urbanites of color who tend to be indifferent to local politics could transform the civic engagement landscape.
But for it get a broader buy-in from the public, the movement may need to star more than just Meek Mill. Maybe there needs to be an entire cast who are billed as important and who attract the attention of the powerful and influential.
To be clear, Roc Nation is well within its right to shape its movement however it wants. And I have argued that many leaders and doers fail when they aim to be all things to all people. With that said, Roc Nation has the capacity and resources to leverage this moment to pursue real social change of behalf of untold Americans.
This moment can become bigger than Meek Mill, which would be fair, because the problem certainly is. But, if Roc Nation’s motive is purely business, then #FreeMeekMill is more than appropriate. However, if justice for all is truly at heart, then the movement must transform its center from personality to issues.
Thanks for reading! Until next time, I’m Flood the Drummer® and I’m Drumming for Justice!™
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