I agree with you about the system of the patriarchy still overpowering the voices that need to be heard. It's unacceptable and I hope we see more progression through quality conversations and actionable change.

This being said, I don't agree with the attacks that J.Cole has been getting and think most people are really missing the point of his song. It's not him talking to down to her or anyone.

The song is to the everyday person and it just so happens that Noname is an artist he's worked with before and has utmost respect for. Music is subjective and people hear different messages through it and that's why I'm sharing my perspective.

It's supposed to be a reflection on what we as a collective people can do. It's about being conscious about how we address our friends and those around us on these issues. Being condescending, adding up points, and hanging it over someone else only creates more divide and I've seen that on social media. We're all fighting together and if someone approaches another with aggression, they're less likely to listen. It's not the job of the oppressed to educate the oppressors. Yes I can understand that. But don't you think generational change is created from having an honest conversation with someone? If they don't want to listen, that's fine. We move on. Yes, they can spend time reading and show they’re serious about what’s happening. But a personal touch and voice will always be more powerful than a google search. Giving things a chance and avoiding a condescending voice is what creates a change that sticks with that person.

Music is great because it's able to make us feel and understand things in a way that words alone fail to. This track is a great example of a conversation. He's been involved in protests and has spoken out. I haven't seen other rappers or artists go make any statements. Where's Jay-Z? Where's Drake? Where are these titans of industry? Isn't it better to lend your voice than be silent? Noname gave a response to that track and Cole tweeted it out and you don’t really see that often. He’s not a “nice guy”. He is just approaching things openly and wants to speak from a place of honesty. He knows what’s going on and the state of the things. That’s why he’s out there on the streets protesting, something he’s been doing even in 2014. He closed off social media to visit the homes and families of those struggling to sit down and talk. He’s visited prisons and spoken to inmates because he sees the US incarceration system as flawed. But he’s trying to understand these other perspectives and thought “I think it’s important to think about how we approach these conversations”.

I think him and Noname are providing perspectives that draw good conversation and remind us that we're all fighting together to create a future of love, equality, and justice for all.

I wrote a story on this a couple days ago if you’re interested in the details of the things I’ve touched on.