Song-writer, activist, and former candidate for political office, Rhymefest took to social media with a couple of heavy grievances on Saturday, [August 27] after he experienced trouble reporting that he had been robbed at gunpoint. The "Violence Is Sexy" emcee tweeted a video of himself confronting officers at the Grand Crossing District station [precinct], where he claimed he was denied assistance before taking his phone out to document the interaction.
"I don't feel comfortable because I feel like I'm being treated ... when the camera goes off, you all start telling me to get out, I can't make a report," Rhymefest, whose given name is Che Smith, could be heard responding, after an official requests that he stop recording. The caption of the video implies that such hassle typifies the reason Black Americans often refrain from seeking support from the police. After learning about the incident, Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi issued an apology, saying, "We are disappointed with what we've seen and how Mr. Smith was treated, and the chief of patrol called him personally to apologize on behalf of the department."
Smith's stresses began at around 7:30 a.m. when the unidentified gunman jumped into the back seat, while he sat parked near the 4300 block of South Cottage Grove Avenue. It was at that point that he was forced to give up his wallet, as the man held a firearm to his head. The assailant would flee on foot with what Smith said was all of $3 in his wallet. While he sustained no physical injury, the 39-year-old Chicagoan was emotionally shaken, expressing his frustration via tweet,"To the young brother that put the gun to my head this morning & took my wallet. You don't know how you just damaged your community," he said, alluding to the work he has put into helping stop violence in the city. "I'm not even mad, I'm f***ing hurt."
Source: chicagotribune.com
