On April 19, Freddie Gray met an untimely demise while in the custody of Baltimore police. Soon after, its citizens have used their actions both peaceful and aggressive to voice their frustration. Hip-Hop has used social media to express its concern while other boisterous business icons like Donald Trump also used social media to engage the public and his decision to deem the protesters "thugs" solicited a reply from Meek Mill.
Yesterday was the first day since the social unrest started that students at Baltimore's Fredrick Douglas High School were able to return to class. Wale and Rev. Jamal Bryant visited the assembled student body, and FOX 5 DC was there to capture the moment.
Wale expressed sincere eloquence when he shared, "We need each other. We need our community leaders to come step forward and we need these kids to understand that somebody believes in them. I believe in them, Jamal believes in them and there's a lot of people in this community that believe in these kids."
The DMV lyricist went on to recount his arduous experience with the police and stated, "I've been harassed by the police; I get it." Wale then challenged the youth to buck the negative light that the media portrays them in and to allow their positive actions forge their path to personal and social success.
Check out the video of Wale speaking on the steps of the school and taking it to the streets above.
Source: Complex
