‘Life is a marathon, not a sprint’

Latest

Nipsey Hussle mural in Atlanta, Georgia.
PHOTO/XTAROS

 

Remembering Nipsey Hussle

On April 11, in the African American tradition, a homecoming took place for Ermias Asghedom (aka Nipsey Hussle), who had been shot and killed in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Los Angeles on March 31. Tens of thousands of people, from youth to grandparents, partied in the streets as his casket made a 25-mile procession through the streets of South Central, Watts and the Crenshaw district.
The love shown for Nipsey Hussle came in part from the music he made as a Grammy-nominated rapper. But only part. Nip was a product of the streets and relied on the very community he came from to inspire him, raise him, and financially support him. He turned this around to raise up and financially support that community.
He developed numerous businesses to provide for youth, the poor and others in the community. He was known to give away clothes from his clothing store to parolees, not to mention going to court to assist people from the neighborhood facing trial. Nipsey sold his CDs for $100 or gave them away to those who couldn’t pay.
Nip was a gang member who made music and videos with rival gangs. At the memorial for him, in front of 20,000 people at Staples Center, Snoop Dogg gave a moving tribute, noting that “For those of you who knew Nipsey Hussle personally, you knew that he had nothing but love for every gang member from Southern California, I don’t care what neighborhood you were from.”
Nipsey Hussle was from an immigrant Eritrean family and so it was no surprise that during the 2016 presidential campaign he and fellow rapper YG put out a video called “Fuck Donald Trump.” The video spoke from the point of view of the streets (“Speaking for some people that you probably ain’t know”) and its context was the people vs. the police.
Above all, the video, which has been viewed by 22 million people, is filled with the spirit of unity which defined Nipsey Hussle’s life. It begins with the words. “Separation is the enemy,” then continues:
It wouldn’t be the USA without Mexicans
If it’s time to team up then shit, let’s begin
Black love
Brown pride
White people feel the same as my next of kin
Carvell Holloway is a music teacher in Compton, California.

+ Articles by this author

Free to republish but please credit the People's Tribune. Visit us at www.peoplestribune.org, email peoplestribune@gmail.com, or call 773-486-3551.

The People’s Tribune brings you articles written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Unsigned articles reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: ©2024 peoplestribune.org. Please donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Featured

‘We Need Urgent Global Climate Action’

Eighty-nine percent of people worldwide want their governments to do more to address the global climate crisis. Conference on tipping points says situation is urgent. Meanwhile U.S. govt does more to boost fossil fuel forms of energy.

May Day 2025: United We Will Win

International Worker’s Day is celebrated on May 1st around the world. Today, the entire U.S. working class, of which immigrants comprise an integral part, is under attack. The defense of immigrants is vital to the defense of the entire working class.

White School Officer Pepper-sprayed and Kneed Black Beaumont, TX Student, Complaint says. Will Feds Act?

A 6-second video, recorded by a teacher and reviewed by the Texas Observer, shows an officer grabbing a student’s hair, kneeing her in the face, and knocking the 100-pound girl on her back.

Pope Francis Dies After Easter Plea to End War in Gaza

"In his final public message, Pope Francis decried the “terrible conflict” in Gaza.

Bring Union Brother Kilmar Home: His Deportation Is an Attack on All of Us

The deportation of union brother Kilmar Abrego Garcia is a gut punch to the labor movement, a slap in the face to every worker who dares to organize.

More from the People's Tribune