Flavor Flav pleaded for gun control in a heartfelt op-ed.
The Public Enemy rapper’s statement comes just after the band’s new protest song, March Madness, dropped. The song addresses the increasing frequency of gun violence in the United States, particularly school shootings.
In the track, Flavor Flav and Chuck D condemn the role of politicians and the influence of the NRA on gun laws.
Flavor Flav stands ten toes on business:
Known for his outspoken activism, the star of VH1‘s Flavor of Love shared his personal history with firearms, including the time he spent in jail due to gun-related charges.
Flav voiced his fears for his children’s safety, citing the disturbing rise in school shootings across the country. “I fear for my kids when I drop them off at school.”
“Our schools aren’t safe and our kids aren’t safe. This is because gun protection laws are weak. Guns are falling into the hands of the wrong people. I would know. I went to jail because of guns … So I am speaking from firsthand experience.”
Flavor Flav’s comments about the state of gun violence reflect his concerns for the safety of young people. “Current laws fail to protect them.”
The root cause, as per Flavor Flav:
“Back in the day, guns and drugs were brought into Black communities. It was a time when we were taught that guns and drugs equaled power.”
“We all had guns. There was peer pressure; a gun felt like a necessity to protect yourself from gang wars. This helped create a system of criminals who were forced into legalized slavery.”
Additionally, Flav explained that people are driven my fear and power. “America is being built on fear. You have people who are scared. And these people are fighting for gun rights to protect themselves. They wouldn’t have to protect themselves if all guns were banned.”
“Right now, it’s too easy for kids to grab their parents’ guns. They are motivated by fear of being disliked, fear of not being accepted, fear of being made fun of. It makes them feel powerless. Some choose to take their power back and show up those peers. This happens so often, we have started to become numb to it as a society.”
Flav hopes that March Madness will drive real change.
