Nearly 500 students filled USF’s Oval Theater to hear Rapper Michael Render, known as “Killer Mike,” speak about social inequality and systemic racism.
As part of the University Lecture Series and the signature event in the campus’ weeklong commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Render gave credit to the social justice movements that seek to celebrate ethnic diversity across the United States. He emphasized that the problem was not as much racial, as it was economical.
His speech focused on the value of mentoring.
“I want you to get off campus and find a child that does not look like you, that is not from your economic and religious background,” Render said.
“I don’t want you to just help black, brown or white kids. I want you to go out and help poor children, because they need you.”
The 40-year-old artist is part of a rap duo called “Run the Jewels,” E1-P, the other member, is white.
Render found fame after his appearance on Outkast’s album “Stankonia” which went quadruple platinum.
The Grammy-winning artist has been actively engaged in social reform movements and has spoken at numerous universities and events on topics ranging from the occurrences in Ferguson, MO, to his support of presidential hopeful and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Render has been politically active even before his endorsement of the Vermont senator. In June 2015, he ran as a write-in candidate to be the Representative for Georgia’s 55th District and has appeared on “Real Time with Bill Maher,” FOX and CNN.
He has spoken out against the militarization of the police force, police brutality and made speeches following Michael Brown’s death in Ferguson.
As an artist, Render has embedded his social views into his lyrics. On his latest album R.A.P Music, he criticizes American politics in the song “Reagan,” stating:
“But thanks to Reaganomics, prisons turned to profits/ cause free labor is the cornerstone of U.S. economics./ Cause slavery was abolished, unless you are in prison./ You think I am lying, then read the 13th Amendment/ involuntary servitude and slavery it prohibits./ That’s why they giving drug offenders time in double digits.”
Render also addressed the racial prejudice associated with people of Middle Eastern descent.
“Keep fighting the fight, the fight never ends. We can fix the problems, but not with bombs and political policies.”
The next University Lecture Series event will be on March 21 with Laverne Cox. Cox stars in the television show “Orange is the New Black” and is the first transgender woman to have a leading role on a mainstream scripted television show.
