A small-town American police chief has ripped into rapper Kanye West, calling him “ignorant” and suggesting he abandon his career as a musician and join the military.
The letter came in response to an interview in which West compared his life as musician to that of a solider or policeman, saying: “I’m just giving of my body on the stage and putting my life at risk, literally… And if I slipped… You never know. And I think about it. I think about my family and I’m like, ‘Wow, this is like being a police officer or something, in war or something.”
It is not the first time the Yeezus creator has caused a stir by comparing himself to others (including Michael Jordan and God) but it’s the first time one of his comments has been met with such a swift and popularised backlash, with Brimfield police chief David Oliver’s post on Facebook being liked and shared tens of thousands of times.
The scathing riposte included a hilarious prediction of what West fighting on the front line would result in: “When the Taliban starts shooting at you, perhaps you could stand up and let the words flow. It could be something like “I’m Kanye West, wearing a flak vest.” I’m sure they would just drop weapons and surrender.”
Dripping with sarcasm, Oliver did concede the dangers of music as a profession, saying: “Most people don’t consider… if you rap really fast, without a chance to inhale, you could pass out and hit your head.”
The post was not limited to a critique of West, “Your line of thinking is part of the problem in the world today… which include entertainers thinking they are something more than just entertainers.”
One recent notable example of this was Tom Cruise comparing acting to fighting in Afghanistan, albeit against claims he was taken out of context.
There has not yet been a reply from West, but the humble policeman has become an internet sensation with nothing but praise coming from the comments on the Brimfield Police Department’s Facebook page.
The letter in its entirety:
“Dear Kanye West,
I am honored to be writing such an important star. I am a mere Internet sensation. I’m not sure I am worthy to address you, although the Huffington Post did say I was “Humorous and Insanely Popular.” I don’t pay much attention to those things. Anyway, please excuse my interference in your life for a quick second.
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I read your interview and also watched it on video. You said:
“I’m just giving of my body on the stage and putting my life at risk, literally…..and I think about it. I think about my family and I’m like, wow, this is like being a police officer or something, in war or something.”
I want to thank you for putting your life on the line for all of us every day. I know that being a rapper is tough work. I have tried to rap, and it is very difficult to keep up with the pulse of the rhyme flow…although when Ice Ice Baby comes on the radio, I can usually keep up with ol’ Vanilla. Anywho, your job is just some very dangerous work. Most people don’t consider… if you rap really fast, without a chance to inhale, you could pass out and hit your head.
That last paragraph was covered in sarcasm. I’m letting you know, just so you do not think I agree with your very ignorant assessment of your career (or any other performer)as it relates to a person in the military or a police officer’s service. You sir, are as misguided as they come. I do have a suggestion for you. Since you are accustomed to danger, from your life as an international rapper, I am strongly encouraging you immediately abandon you career as a super star and join the military. After joining, I would like you to volunteer to be deployed in Afghanistan or one of the numerous other forward locations where our men an women are currently serving. When the Taliban starts shooting at you, perhaps you could stand up and let the words flow. It could be something like “I’m Kanye West, wearing a flak vest.” I’m sure they would just drop weapons and surrender. You could quite possibly end all wars, just from the enemy being star-struck.
Your line of thinking is part of the problem in the world today….which include entertainers thinking they are something more than just entertainers. I know it is supply and demand and the demand for your services is high. I get economics. What I do not get is you EVER comparing what you do for a living to our heroic military members, who are always in harm’s way… and my brother and sister police officers who have to go to work carrying weapons and wearing a bullet-proof vest to protect themselves.
Check yourself, before you wreck yourself… Chief Oliver.”
– Sydney Morning Herald
