Rapper "Killer Mike" (with 142k twitter followers) likes Bernie Sanders

[BrotherIvan]

As seen on reddit. https://twitter.com/KillerMikeGTO/status/604947681971171328



I wanted to share this with the Bernie Sanders group as yet another signal that people are listening. And with a very politically active musician with 142,000 followers on Twitter, Bernie's message is getting out.

On CNN (grab the kleenex) **MUST WATCH**

Killer Mike on Real Time with Bill Maher

Here is just one of his videos

I am going to be following Killer Mike because what he is saying is the absolute TRUTH! Did you watch the CNN video? Do it now!

[Enthusiast]

1. Kicked and recommended a whole bunch!

Glad to hear it! Go, Bernie! Go, Mike!

[Divernan]

2. So much for HRC supporters' "Bernie just appeals to seniors" meme!

As a senior myself, I confess I had never heard of "Killer Mike", but if he's getting interviewed on Bill Maher and has 142 K twitter followers, he has significant impact, and sounds like someone who will influence our disenchanted younger generation to register and vote.
(Pause)
OK, I just googled his bio and I am now impressed as hell:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killer_Mike

Activism

Killer Mike has given lectures about race relations in the United States at several American universities, including New York University[34] and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.[35][36]

Killer Mike is an outspoken social activist focusing on subjects including social equality, police brutality, and systemic racism.[23] His views are reflected in his music, as well as in interviews with the media. As a publicly viewed figure, Mike feels it is his responsibility to represent African-Americans: "I feel I have to be politically active and I have to be a credit to my race."[24] He has been vocal on the subject of police misconduct, his father being a former police officer. His anti-brutality sentiment can be found on the song "Reagan" from his album R.A.P. Music,[25] and the song "Early" on Run the Jewels 2.[26][27]

In response to the 2014 shooting of Michael Brown controversy in Ferguson, Missouri, Killer Mike said "I'm appalled that regular Americans are apathetic. I'm appalled that people choose to use the word 'thug' as a code word for 'n-----.' I'm appalled at everyday citizens... When will we, as an American constituency, tell our politicians enough's enough? Enough mayors supporting murderous police departments. Enough police chiefs having to give excuses for murderous police officers."[28] In an op-ed published in Billboard magazine, Killer Mike stated that "there is no reason that Mike Brown and also Eric Garner are dead today -- except bad policing, excessive force and the hunt-and-capture-prey mentality many thrill-seeking cops have adapted."[29]

Killer Mike and El-P performed at The Ready Room in St. Louis on November 24, 2014, the same night that the Grand Jury verdict was announced stating that Darren Wilson would not be charged with a crime in the shooting of Michael Brown. Killer Mike opened the set, which began about two hours after the announcement was made, with a heartfelt speech.[30] Fan-shot footage of the speech later went viral.[31]

Commenting on the 2015 Baltimore riots related to the death of Freddie Gray, Killer Mike noted that he understood the frustrations leading to violent demonstrations, but encouraged protestors to use their energy to organize for lasting change. In a Billboard op-ed, Killer Mike stated, "For the people of Baltimore -- I don’t criticize rioting because I understand it. But after the fires die down: organize, strategize and mobilize. Like Ferguson, you have an opportunity to start anew. I don’t have a solution because whoever’s there will have to come up with it. But we need community relations: riots are the language of the unheard."[32] He made similar points in an interview with the Harvard Political Review: "Baltimore is an opportunity for us to do something different. As society, there’s a real opportunity to organize there, and if we do not take full advantage of the opportunity to organize, then the riots truly meant nothing."[33]

[BrotherIvan]

3. Yes, I have heard about him here and there but did not read up on him

What he is saying is exactly what needs to be said. He sounds like a great leader. I'm happy to learn about him and that he's crossed paths with Bernie.

If you watch the CNN video, he says that what is happening is because there is poverty and no jobs and no hope. So I guess people who are actually living it understand that economic and social justice are one and the same and part of the same struggle. Oops, did I just say that? My bad. Don't want to stoke the concern fires of DU.

[TM99]

4. Love Killer Mike.

He is a smart and compassionate man.

From what I know of him, this support for Sanders does not surprise me.

But hey, the black vote is obviously only going to Clinton.

[BrotherIvan]

7. He is smart as hell

And the fact that he can connect it with his emotions and is totally unafraid makes for a powerful combination. I'm very excited to see him listening to Bernie. I guess you and I aren't the only ones who are betraying our *duty* to vote for the establishment candidate.

[smokey nj]

9. Killer Mike was on Real Time recently and he opened a huge can of whoop ass on Charles Murray.

You can catch his appearance this week. HBO is rerunning it since Bill was off on Friday. ETA: smokey's a bit of a dumbass today. You included the Real Time video in your OP. Sorry!

[BrotherIvan]

10. Do you think it's on youtube?

I'll look for it, but that clip was all I could find. I got rid of cable TV long ago so I miss stuff like this.

[smokey nj]

11. I found more video at this link.

http://flavorwire.com/newswire/watch-a-riveting-real-time-with-bill-maher-talk-about-racism-and-baltimore-with-killer-mike-and-john-waters

[BrotherIvan]

12. Excellent! Thank you

I really like what he has to say. No bullshit.

[smokey nj]

13. I do too!

[BrotherIvan]

16. I love this video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=83&v=bz9uQ6ehujg

Heather McGee is just

[smokey nj]

18. It was a great show. One of the best so far this season.

[TM99]

14. Yeah, I saw that episode as well.

He was impressive.

Having him in Sanders' corner is a seriously great thing!

[smokey nj]

19. It sure is!

[daleanime]

5. K&R.....

[sabrina 1]

6. Both Bernie and Killer Mike were early supporters of Ocuppy Wall St. Mike's and Bernie's

messages are very similar when it comes to racism and poverty and lack of opportunity for minorities and the poor.

'It isn't just about race, it's about poverty and hopelessness' he and many of the other high profile rappers and rock musicians who joined OWS have emphasized.

Mike joined the Atlanta Occupiers and he and other rappers compared the movement to the early stages of the hip-hop movement.

David Banner, Tom Morello Join Occupy Wall Street Protesters, Killer Mike Joins Occupy Atlanta

The hip-hop community has been leading the charge when it comes to lending support to the growing Occupy Wall Street Movement. But now hip-hop’s older rebel cousin, rock, is joining in on the protests as rapper David Banner and rock guitarist Tom Morello recently showed up at Zuccotti Park to show their support for the movement.

He's a remarkable human being and it should surprise no one that he would find Bernie to be a very interesting candidate.

[BrotherIvan]

8. Right on

I'm going to post it again because for some reason it never gets a response. But this seems to be pretty important to anyone who actually cares about people of color, not using them as props for points. But our social justice warriors never seem to notice it.



Killer Mike sounds like he understands it though. I'm hoping more politically aware young people who are still hungry for change will get involved.

[marym625]

15. K&R!

Let love this guy!

[BrotherIvan]

17. If I may be so bold, maybe he and other black activists should be the people we listen to on race

Here he is talking about the Baltimore and, I'll be durned if he isn't talking about economics and being a renter and not an owner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=83&v=bz9uQ6ehujg

[marym625]

20. I agree

And frankly, he's looking at the history of it in modern times
Fairly current times, which is something that the younger leaders seem to miss

[BrotherIvan]

21. You mean older?

[marym625]

22. No.

Just because someone is younger doesn't mean that they can't know the history. They're just not relating the 80s/Reagan has played into current society. It's almost like that era is missing from the current younger leaders repertoire.

History is there, just not current history

[BrotherIvan]

23. Thank you, now I understand

And yes, I was very taken that he planted it firmly where it belonged: on that piece of shit. I also liked that he didn't aim to be like him or think he was "transformational."

[marym625]

24. I really like him

Even though I have been following him on twitter for a while, I didn't really know that much about him. Now, I love him.

[azmom]

25. Saw him on Smiley recently

I like what he is doing, and the awerness that he brings to the younger crowd.

[BrotherIvan]

26. He has formally endorsed Bernie

Killer Mike is much more closely aligned with how I feel about the issues. I will just say that those who are Bernie's biggest critics on DU come from a much older, wealthier crowd who do not think economics means anything when it absolutely does. So there is a definite distinction between the PoC here who do support Sanders as many do. It's pretty obvious.

[MannyGoldstein]

27. Someone needs to tell him that we can only have social OR economic justice

Not both!

And Sanders has picked economic justice.

[BrotherIvan]

28. Just had a conversation about Bernie's speech

wherein he says that we must reform the justice system. I was informed that since he did not detail policy *in that speech* it doesn't count. His record, which I provided, is meaningless.

Here is my reply:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=423465

No answer yet, but I anxiously await it. Last person who demanded I "prove it" just self-deleted three posts with her "concerns" when I did. Honesty is not a high priority for some.

[MannyGoldstein]

29. The goalpost of perpetual motion

As soon as Hillary's advisors figure out what her track record is, you'll be blown away. You'll see.

They're having a bit of difficulty finding the right one, but once they do, the Sandernistas will evaporate.

[BrotherIvan]

30. Of course, his candidacy is just a "fairy tale"