Yasiin Bey FKA the Mighty Mos Def is never one to keep mum in times of social upheaval. And given his current residence in South Africa, it seems he’s been able to remain more objective about these two (amongst countless) gleaming instances of systemic injustices suffered by the Brown and Garner families in losing their loved ones at the hands of those who were meant to protect them. He recently took to Stop Being Famous, issuing a statement entitled Thoughts On The Upheaval From A Global Perspective, which has a bit of an allegorical feel to it (quoting Malcolm X and a few verses from Max Ehrmann‘s Desiderata) but certainly manages to capture the stateside tension that’s only mounting with each day and each unarmed black man, woman and child that finds themselves looking down the wrong side of a cops barrel. Let Yasiin channel some of your frustrations and pain into positive action. Listen to, read and download his statement below.

Thoughts On The Upheaval From A Global Perspective:

Where are we? We’re at critical time. We’re at watershed moment for humanity. I imagine we’ve been here before and I imagine we’ve probably been here longer than we realize. I think many of us are becoming even more aware of where we are. And the urgency to change this miserable condition on this earth” (as Malcolm X said) is occurring to many of us and reaffirming itself.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. It’s an opportunity for necessary change. Positive change. And it’s not necessarily convenient or comfortable. As I’m sure is with any period of growth.

I read somewhere that in order for an arrow to fly the bow has to be drawn back. There’s some pressure involved and I think we’re all feeling that pressure. Some of us are more aware of it than others. Some of us are trying to drown it out. But we all feel it one way or another in indelible ways in these times and days.

“Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.”