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Opinion: Denigrating Drake, and Kamala Harris, as ‘Not Like Us’

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Opinion: Denigrating Drake, and Kamala Harris, as 'Not Like Us'

As a movie buff who has spent countless hours immersed in the rich tapestry of cinematic storytelling, I find myself deeply troubled by the narrow-minded and reductionist views expressed by Trump, Vance, and even Lamar towards Kamala Harris and Drake. Growing up in the diverse melting pot that is New York City, I’ve had the privilege of interacting with people from all walks of life, each carrying their unique cultural heritage.

On the same day, ex-President Trump alleged before an assembly of national Black journalists that Vice President Kamala Harris was of full Indian descent, later transforming into a Black individual. Meanwhile, his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, criticized Harris as a false persona who spent her formative years in Canada (she attended high school in Montreal), and claimed she employed a fabricated Southern accent at a rally.

The allegations against these men seem strikingly similar to the criticisms leveled at rapper Drake by hip-hop legend Kendrick Lamar (among others), in a longstanding feud that still resonates. Drake has faced accusations of being a cultural appropriator, with his Canadian origin and enthusiastic adoption of numerous elements from diverse Black cultures raising questions about his racial authenticity.

Regardless of who presents them – individuals grappling with racial issues or prominent figures from the Black community – these statements fail to acknowledge the intricacy and richness that defines Black identity.

Trump and Vance seem to have limited knowledge about and show less admiration for the intricate racial tapestry and culturally rich blend that defines Black identity. On the other hand, Harris has been open about her Indian ancestry and Jamaican roots since the beginning. In our country’s context, biracial Blackness encompasses a wide range of skin tones, from light to dark, with origins extending beyond just Caucasian or Indian backgrounds.

Due to the legacy of slavery often overlooked by conservatives, many African Americans today can trace diverse ancestry throughout their family lines. For instance, one branch of the tree might lead back to a grandparent with Native American heritage, while another could reveal an Irish great-grandmother in the family history.

In the realm of American racial dynamics, the one-drop rule of Black identity signifies a strong inclination towards simplification. This rule implies that any individual, regardless of their physical or genetic makeup, who has even a hint of African ancestry is considered to be predominantly Black. This perception often results in these individuals being viewed as tainted and inferior. This trend isn’t limited to Black bodies with white ancestry; it also applies to Black individuals with Latinx or Asian heritage.

Despite this, numerous individuals with mixed races enthusiastically claim their one-drop Black heritage. Just like many other Black people, Harris’ Indian mother recognized that she was raising Black daughters. However, they sometimes wore saris and made trips to India. She, like millions of others, comprehended the wide range of expressions of Blackness.

1. Trump’s assertion that Kamala Harris changed her identity from Indian to Black contradicts the facts of her biography, such as her education at Howard University and her membership in the Black sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha. Trump’s idea that Black people exploit their race for personal gain resonates with those who think that Black advancement diminishes white wealth. Vance’s hollow phrase reveals his pretentious, small-town white resentment towards Harris’ global Black identity.

Interestingly, at the core of the Lamar and Drake dispute lies a cosmopolitan perspective on Blackness. This ongoing argument, which has intensified this spring through a succession of releases, is essentially a struggle for cultural recognition, racial credibility, and group identity. It uncovers a parochial mindset that contradicts the global influences prevalent in hip-hop.

As a film enthusiast, I’d rephrase it like this: In his smash hit “Not Like Us,” Lamar calls out Drake for being a “colonizer” because he allegedly flees to Atlanta to team up with some of the city’s trap music icons to boost his Black identity. Lamar’s stance mirrors age-old complaints that Drake, with his biracial Canadian heritage, is questionable as an authentic Black artist. The diverse nature of Drake’s artistic exploration across accents and genres has led many to claim, similar to Vance’s assertion about Harris, that Drake is merely pretending to be genuine.

Lamar’s beef with Drake is rooted in a parochial, claustrophobic vision of Blackness.

Drake, born in Toronto to a Canadian Jewish mother and an African-American musician father from Memphis, Tennessee, spent his summers in the Musical City. His diverse musical preferences were shaped by various segments of the Black community – Afro-Caribbeans, Londoners, Southern Americans, particularly Memphians and Torontonians. The vibrant multicultural cityscape of Toronto, teeming with immigrants from Italy, Portugal, Jamaica, and the Philippines, further fueled his passion for music.

As a music enthusiast who has spent considerable time exploring various cultures and their musical expressions around the world, I strongly believe that the criticism leveled against Drake for supposedly appropriating Black culture is misguided and narrow-minded. Having traveled extensively across continents, I have witnessed firsthand the global impact of hip-hop as an art form, transcending geographical boundaries and cultural barriers.

It’s interesting to note that labeling him as a colonizer overlooks the perspective many Black Americans have, which is that their Blackness is superior to that of other Black people. This colonial mindset, more problematic than any accusations against Drake, is quite ironic. Moreover, it’s quite strange to portray Drake as an outsider or enemy of hip-hop simply because he’s Canadian and not from Compton or Detroit, when Canada historically provided a safe haven for those escaping American slavery.

As a passionate film enthusiast, I find it disheartening when racial stereotypes reemerge, even subtly, within our cultural discourse. In Charlotte, N.C., during a Trump rally, a white female commentator attempted to distinguish Kamala Harris from Black Americans by stating she’s “not one of us.” This sentiment echoes in Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” reinforcing harmful racial boundaries.

As a fervent admirer, I’m delighted to share that I am currently an academic at Vanderbilt University, specializing in African American studies. My latest work is titled “Entertaining Race: Performing Blackness in America,” which I recently published.

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2024-08-11 13:31

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