Sorry Druski, Justin Bieber is not Black.

Just because Druski said so, does not mean we should allow whiteness to continue infiltrating and redefining access to Black spaces, culture and identity.

I know nothing is sacred and we don’t take anything seriously anymore but giving Justin Bieber a Black card is widely dangerous. This is not the first time we have given white boys an “invitation” to the cookout. I would like to actually argue there is no cookout. There’s a meet and greet. White people are continuously looking for permission to claim Blackness. When we allow them to identify with BEING Black, we lose everything. It’s moments like these that let them think they can even entertain saying nigga the way we do.

I often have conversations with friends about the preservation of Hip Hop. One of the main things that always comes up is the level of gatekeeping that no longer exists. We (Black people) have made Blackness TOO accessible. This goes across all Black cultures, not just Black Americans. As a people, community is our baseline. Foundationally, I believe it is in our blood and instinctual to share our resources, kindness and love because we are taught that when we come together we thrive and excel forward. Historically, Whiteness and colonialism does not allow for this strategy of generosity to exist because White culture is based in individualism and capitalism. I know I sound like Dr. Umar Johnson but I don’t give a fuck anymore y’all. I have seen and experienced too much from White people that have continued to prove me right.

Listen, I actually love Biebs just as much as anyone. I quite literally said in a group chat this morning that I can’t wait for light skin Bieber to drop. I think the point we need to drive home more is the fact that he’s SOULFUL - not Black (which is the title of the interlude that inspired this whole rant). Druski says “your skin is White, but your soul is Black.” EVEN IF IT’S A JOKE, THAT IS STILL TOO MUCH FOR ME DRUSKI! HE IS A WHITE MAN, WITH A WHITE SOUL. I’M SORRY, I DON’T MAKE THE RULES! Being “soulful” is an attribute of Blackness, but is not validation that this White man is allowed to claim affiliation to Blackness in any way, shape or form.

Anyways, all that to say, please be careful how you attach Blackness to White people who are adjacent to our culture. This is how we preserve our community, our recipes and what makes us, US.