*The RZA is doing damage control amid comments he made that seemingly support police officers that target young black men.
In an interview with Bloomberg TV, the Wu-Tang Clan lyricist weighed in on police brutality among black youth as he voiced his support of the police as he expressed how appearance determines how authorities perceive black youth.
“When you think about some of the brothers who are being brutalized by the police, you also got to have them take a look, and us take a look, in the mirror at the image we portray,” RZA said. “If I’m a cop and every time I see a young black youth, whether I watch them on TV, movies, or just see them hanging out, and they’re not looking properly dressed, properly refined, you know, carrying himself, conducting himself proper hours of the day — things that a man does, you’re going to have a certain fear and stereotype of them.”
RZA’s comments ended up triggering a slew of criticism from those who found fault with what he stated. Realizing how his remarks were taken, the entertainer took to social media to clear the air.
“I could never condone police brutality or any form of injustice and oppression. Knowledge of self means studying self to improve self. Peace,” tweeted RZA who clarified that he’s not “condemning” young people for their the way they dress or their individual style.
“We live we should learn and evolve. When are we men at 21 or 41?”
Scroll below to read the rest of RZA’s tweets regarding his comments to Bloomberg:
I’m not condemning the kids for their garments. We live we should learn and evolve. When are we men at 21 or 41?
— RZA! (@RZA) January 8, 2016
How can a original black man be a coon &sell out? You best look deep into my words &make an assessment. Do you still think pork is healthy? — RZA! (@RZA) January 8, 2016
I could never condone police brutality or any form of injustice and oppression. Knowledge of self means studying self to improve self. Peace
— RZA! (@RZA) January 8, 2016
“Of course Black lives matter.. All lives matter” — RZA! (@RZA) January 8, 2016
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