Big Sean took to social media on Monday (June 1) to express his feelings about protesting with the Black Lives Matter movement in the wake of George Floyd’s death and his identity as a Black man in America.
“Clearly we got the whole world’s attention, obviously,” the rapper said in a video posted to his Twitter and Instagram feeds. “And justice has to be served. Period. And if it’s not, I don’t think things are going to change or get better.”
Sean also opened up about his experiences participating in protests over the past few days. “I know I been protesting, I know a lot of us been out on the streets protesting,” he said, “And it’s been a lot of unity, but I also see a lot of people with ulterior motives that look like undercover cops. I don’t know if they are undercover cops, but like, you know, starting a lot of the conflict, a lot of the issues. And we’ve all seen places where they’ve got them bricks conveniently located to wreak havoc, and I don’t know what the ulterior motive is.
“I don’t know if it’s to make us look like we wild beasts or don’t have control, but we clearly are not wild beasts. We’re extraordinary, talented magical people that if you took us out of the equation, the world would be very, very bland.”
Sean then touched on the long history of slavery and discrimination throughout U.S. history, saying, “Our ancestors built this country for free, OK? So I’m just talking from the heart right now but one of my biggest issues is that…this current government, and country, is built on a racist foundation. A lot of us know this. You want to talk about systemic oppression, you want to talk about the justice system being targeted to people that look like me.
“And it’s impossible to get out of once you in there, you know?…Some of the first polices forces ever was made during slavery, down South, in them Southern states. And their main focus was to capture, apprehend, beat, discipline slaves, rip them apart from their families, keep them apart and God knows whatever else.”
“So that’s what I’m saying, that’s how deep it goes back,” he continued. “So no wonder that a cop feels like they could kill a Black man or woman and feel like it’s a way of life.”
In a followup video, Big Sean candidly spoke about being a Black man in America today. “So you want to talk about land of equality and freedom?” he asked. “I don’t feel equal and I don’t feel free. Of course let’s speak up and be heard, but things have to change.”
Watch Big Sean’s powerful statement below.