Ssshhhhh … No one tell Dr. Cornel West, but it looks like Nicki Minaj may get an invite to the White House before he does.

Cue the apocalypse.

When Yvette Wilson, known primarily for her role as Andell Wilkerson on Moesha and The Parkers, was diagnosed with cervical cancer, her friend Jeffrey Pittle created a website so that people could donate money for her medical needs and transportation costs associated with getting to various medical facilities. At the time of Wilson’s death, the site had raised $13,599 of the $25,000 they were seeking — or 54 percent. The fundraiser ended June 9, 2012.

When Wilson died on June 14 at the age of 48, not only was she battling cancer, but she was also in need of a kidney transplant.

Disgusted by the fact that Wilson died because of unaffordable healthcare, Minaj took her concern to President Obama on Twitter:

“What’s sad is that when Yvette was bringing home the bacon, the gov’t was probably taking millions. On her deathbed though, #NoWhereToBeFound,” Nicki tweeted.

“That should be a God given right! Even with Obama Care, too much involved. Just give FREE health care to all. @barackobama What can we do?” she tweeted. “@BarackObama I wouldn’t mind the millions they took if it was going to healthcare. Why should a poor person struggle to pay for MEDS sir?”

She added, “@BarackObama I don’t understand why people have to worry about their ‘medical bills’ while they’re on their DEATH BEDS Mr. President.”

Seeing her passionate Twitter advocacy, Questlove of the Roots reached out to her about using her social media clout for the common good, reports BET.com.

“@NICKIMINAJ I personally know that the white house administration would LOVE for you to use ur tweet power to raise health care awareness,” he said. “@NICKIMINAJ seriously dm me, they need that energy you convey’d last night about Yvette Wilson’s health crisis! you can help!”

I must admit, when I first heard this story, all I could think of was when I would put my ‘”hype” music on my MP3 player to jog around MacArthur Park in L.A. and DJ Khaled’s “All I Do Is Win” would come on — specifically Minaj’s verse:

Yo, all I do is win, ain’t that the reason that you really mad
Undisputed hailing all the way from Trinidad
I ain’t mad ma, see you on your bummy swag
I’m in that money green Jag, lot of money bags
I told Khaled you the best but I’m the bestest
Better run for cover if your name is on my checklist
You could talk slick, all the way down to the welfare
Ask the IRS bitch, I’m paying for your health care

Those lyrics are but a microcosm of a larger issue in society where the haves mock the have-nots for living in poverty. I find it particularly interesting that even in this verse Minaj is showing an awareness of the issue, while simultaneously saying that she’s better than those in need.

The epitome of Republican Rap.

And no, this is not an over analyzation, it’s a realization that if these young rappers truly want to claim social awareness, maybe they need to be more aware of the energy they put into the universe.

I respect Minaj’s concern, I really do. And I hope it signals growth; however, I’ll hold my applause until she takes that concern off Twitter and actually does something about it.

around the web

2 Comments

  1. Jordan Thinks

    And this is why we have the country we have. No invite to Cornell West, who is getting arrested on behalf of the voiceless, marginalized majority but at least we’ll have a musical genius in NIcki Minaj sharing what the young, black, rich, and clueless have to say

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