Last night, a Ferguson, Missouri grand jury decided against indicting Officer Darren Wilson in the death of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown. Following the decision, protests and riots broke out in Ferguson and across the country.
Run The Jewels, the hip-hop duo consisting of rappers Killer Mike and El-P, happened to be playing at the Ready Room in St. Louis shortly after the decision was reached. Killer Mike has remained an outspoken supporter and defender of Brown since the incident, and gave a lengthy speech to the audience regarding the jury’s decision, laying out his emotions, viewpoints and support for protesters.
“I would like to give all thoughts and prayers to the people who are out there peacefully protesting and I also give thoughts and prayers for the people who could not hold their anger in,” he said at the beginning.
“I knew it was coming…but I got to tell them, you motherfuckers got me today. You kicked me on my ass today. Because I’ve got a 20-year-old son, I have a 12-year-old son, and I’m so afraid for them,” he said, nearly breaking into tears.
“We’re not going to keep playing that race card because we know you don’t value my skin, and we know you do value his,” he said pointing to El-P. “But you know what, we’re friends and nothing’s going to devalue that. I’ve got peace in my heart, but I wanted to walk out to burn this motherfucker down.”
He goes on to discuss Martin Luther King, Jr.’s philosophies and assassination and America’s “war machine” before breaking into an emotionally charged performance of “Run The Jewels.”
Regardless of your political views, it’s a heartfelt speech you have to see to believe. Watch it below.
