Second Assertion: Rapper Killer Mike’s Speech

The purpose of rapper Killer Mike’s speech was to encourage protesters to stay calm and advise them to take a more strategic approach to respond to racial injustice and police brutality than rioting. This message is presented as Mr. Mike states, “So, I’m duty bound to be here to simply say that it is your duty not to burn your own house down for anger with an enemy. It is your duty to fortify your own house so that you may be a house of refuge in times of organization.” This statement demonstrates his advice to protesters to respond to the injustice of law enforcement by building up their homes to organize and support each other, rather than burning and tearing them down out of rage. He elaborates on this by stating that it is their duty, iterating that it is their obligation to resort to other ways of protest than rioting. Following in his speech, Mr. Mike expresses, “What I can tell you is that if you sit in your homes tonight instead of burning your home to the ground, you will have time to properly plot, plan, strategize, and organize and mobilize in an effective way.” Mr. Mike speaks to the protesters and informs them that burning their homes through rioting will not be as effective as staying home and taking the time to strategize a plan that is guaranteed to produce effectiveness. Mr. Mike uses assertiveness throughout his speech and expresses it within this quote to portray that he strongly believes that it is a better alternative. In conclusion, through his usage of a powerful tone, and continuous reiteration of advice on how to take a different approach to the police brutality, Mr. Mike demonstrates his purpose. Mr. Mike vocalized this speech, aiming it at the people of Atlanta during the time of the uprising, to provide them with a sense of hope, and an option to strategize and plan as opposed to rioting.