Rapper Killer Mike doubled down on his recent criticism of CNN and other major media companies for stoking the flames of racial division in America and warned that news outlets could be hurting the Black Lives Matter movement more than they are helping.
“It seems to me that the fear component of media, period — not just limited to CNN — has become one that features angst and anxiety, and people in my community are constantly bombarded by that,” the rapper said this week during an interview with the New York Times. “The fear, anxiety, and panic are going to be given to you, and things like kidney disease and blood pressure are already running rampant, and that’s not good for your physical health.”
Killer Mike has been an outspoken advocate for the Black Lives Matter movement and vocal backer of the mostly peaceful demonstrations protesting the killing of George Floyd.
In times of crisis, the media is largely not helping the Black Lives Matter movement, he said.
“It’s not good for your spiritual health because you become helpless, and you become apathetic. It’s not good for your health in terms of actually mentally being able to think or be willing to get out and organize,” Killer Mike said. “You become trapped in the house; you become scared.”
In his hometown of Atlanta, which has seen some of the largest demonstrations that have, at times, turned violent, Killer Mike last week pleaded with protesters and other activists to remain peaceful when demanding change from local, state, and national leaders.
CNN’s headquarters is also in Atlanta.
“I’d like to say to CNN right now, karma’s a mother,” Killer Mike said after protesters attacked a building where both CNN’s headquarters and a police station are located. “Stop feeding fear and anger every day. Stop making people feel so fearful. Give them hope.”
Ben Smith, a media columnist at the New York Times, asked the rapper to further explain his critiques of how national media companies represent civil unrest, black lives, and culture as a whole.
“So, in my opinion, the news media needs to be putting stories of hope and change out there because we can do a profile of every person on this phone and be more hopeful,” he responded. “You can do one hour of truth serum a day versus 23 hours of fear and panic. The news media is not doing that, and I feel that it’s time to be called to task.”
