On November 1, 2022, the world was hit by the sad news that Migos rapper, Takeoff, had passed away after getting shot after attending a private party of about 40 to 50 guests. He was only 28, and right now, so many people are wondering how he died and who is responsible for his death.
Now, at this point, it’s not even news anymore given how the black community in America is succumbing to gun violence left, right and centre. So many young souls are subjected to senseless deaths in the name of violence.
Takeoff’s death spiked some conversations about why the black community is really becoming the typical victim. Now, take note that this has absolutely nothing to do with racism. And that’s why I’m wondering, could we, as black people be our own worst enemies? Can’t help but wonder, what is the problem here? Do you know how worrying it is to realize that black-on-black violence worldwide is twice the number of any other form of violence? Sorry, I don’t have the exact statistical number, but it breaks my heart, and it makes me rethink ever having a family. Bringing my kid to a society where if he starts showing signs of success, he is gunned down. This brings us to the question of: “Is it pure jealousy or what is wrong folks? Is it a curse of a black man or simply a black man’s problem? I mean, so many black hip-hop artists are dying. From the legends themselves, Tupac and Biggie to pop smoke, XXX Tentacion, Nipsey, King Von, and so many others. Isn’t it worrying?
Fifty Cent has even made a documentary called, ‘hip hop homicides’ which is looking into the deaths of hip-hop artists who have been subjected to very senseless deaths. Whether or not Takeoff’s death was an accident, the thing is, it all escalated that quickly because of a confrontation that got out of hand quickly. Who were the people involved? Black men! See my point?
All of these conversations revolving around black-on-black violence just go to show that all of us are acknowledging that this is a black people’s problem.
I was talking to a few friends regarding this issue, and one of them noted that the reason black people worldwide will never be respected and do not respect and love themselves is that the continent they are associated with, which is Africa, isn’t respected. I mean, trump summarized us as a shit-hole continent. Is he wrong though? (Debate for another day). Colonization and slavery did a number on our self-esteem as black people. We were taught to believe that we are useless as human beings and that we need help to survive. That’s why the dependency rate we have is too high. Too high people! With that attitude, most of us don’t work hard coz at the back of our minds we have this notion that aids will come through for us.
Meaning we have to do something like Africa! To ensure our brothers and sisters in America get the respect they deserve, it all has to start with the motherland continent. Stop with the corruption and bad leadership that constantly drags us behind economically, thus forcing us to fully depend on European aid. I mean, if we are comfortable with always being on the receiving end of aid, we will never move and progress. We will never be respected; no black person on God’s green earth will ever be respected.
Now for the ones that work hard to improve themselves and leave legacies for their descendants, they are always, always! Looked at with envy. In a society where guns are legal, if I feel I’m jealous of you and convince myself you are flaunting your wealth in my face yet I’m a poor man (believe me, no one is flaunting themselves in your face they are not even thinking about you fam), all I need to do is drop you and convince myself that I have taken care of a problem. But what problem?? Putting a brother down because they decided to work hard and come out of the hood and you did not?
It breaks my heart that for the black communities, it’s the same story over and over again. Nothing has changed since colonialism and slavery. Nothing! The only thing that has changed is that now, we have become our own worst enemies. We hate ourselves so much, such that instead of building ourselves up, we’re busy tearing each other down.
Takeoff didn’t have to die. It scares the hell out of me when I realize we were the same age. There was so much yet to be done by this young man. So much impact to do yet here we are. Saying R.I.P. to another black young man subjected to an extremely senseless death. It hurts fam. It hurts!
