Akon Suggests ‘Black Americans’ Should ‘Let The Past Go’ When It Comes To Slavery

August 13, 2020 by Robin Ayers in Music with 0 Comments

Akon

Akon Suggests ‘Black Americans’ Should ‘Let The Past Go’ When It Comes To Slavery

Akon’s stance on slavery and how Black Americans should handle it is caused him to face lots of criticism on social media.

During a recent interviewwith VLAD TV, the “Locked Up” singer was asked about what people in Senegal think when it comes to slavery. He answered,

“Well, in Senegal we’ve kind of overcome the thought of slavery. We don’t even think about it.”

He added that Senegalese people only think of slavery when they’re performing on tours.

He continued,

“Outside of that, people have lived and moved and way beyond the slavery concept and idea…”

Akon

Akon, born Aliaume Damala Badara Akon Thiam, continued,

“I think it’s also the art of just letting the past go and moving towards the future. I think in the U.S. they have this stigma of just not letting go of the past and blaming the past on every mishap, or you know, disappointment. I think as long as you hold on to that past, it’s just a lot of weight that you carry with you everywhere you go and it’s hard to move forward and move fast when you got a weight on your back. You just gotta let it go.”

When seemingly commenting about other races moving forward because they’ve received reparations, Akon said he believes the United States won’t agree to reparations for Black Americans.

“Unfortunately man, like, it’s not like America is going to take the initiative to do it.”

Instead, he added, “African Americans have to really understand their worth” and that instead of remaining in America, they could “just go back home” where they’re no longer the minority.

Some social media users weren’t too happy with his comments. See a few reactions below.