Rhymefest Urges 'Resources' After Trump's Ambiguous Tweet About Chicago Crime

By Stephen Gossett in News on Jan 2, 2017 9:00PM

In response to Donald Trump’s ambiguous tweet on Monday that Rahm Emanuel “must ask for federal help” in the wake of Chicago’s 762-homicide year, Rhymefest joined CNN later in the afternoon to edify the city’s violent problems—about which Trump has been frequently glib—and urge that any federal assistance come in the form of resources.

“If [the] president-elect is talking about federal intervention in terms of resources then we welcome that,” the activist rapper told host Ana Cabrera.

“Illinois is number one for Africa-American unemployment," he said. "When we look at violence, especially in Chicago, you can circle on a map the small areas where violence is happening: small areas on the s side, small areas on the west side…By and large, Chicagoans are living good. Its these small pockets where you have abnormal amounts of violence… we can take what works in Chicago by and large and apply it to these areas that have been divested from.”

Asked if responsibility for Chicago’s violence fell with President Obama, Rhymefest—who, notoriously, was treated dismissively by police when attempting to file a mugging report in 2016—said, “it’s not the president's job.” It falls more upon the City Council and mayor, he said.

Rhymefest also criticized Emanuel for not having released an allocated $420 million for affordable housing, arguing that Chicago’s history of reshuffling low-income populations has contributed to the current adverse situation.

The artist/activist also noted on Twitter hip-hop's role in politics and called for more detectives and public defenders.