Killer Mike Causes Campaign Controversy With “Uterus” Remark
In the past few months, Run The Jewels rapper Killer Mike has basically become a full-time surrogate for the Bernie Sanders campaign, speaking out for him in every possible situation. And as The New York Times reports, he spent yesterday speaking at a Sanders rally at Atlanta’s Morehouse College, his own alma mater. During the speech, he caused a minor campaign controversy, seemingly simply because he pointed out that Sanders’ opponent Hillary Clinton has a uterus. Here’s what Mike said:
People tell us, ‘Hold on, wait awhile.’ And that’s what the other Democrat is telling you. ‘Hold on, Black Lives Matter. Just wait awhile.’ ‘Hold on, young people in this country, just wait awhile.’ And then, and then she — she get good, she have your own mama come to you. Your own mama say to you, ‘Well, you’re a woman.’
But I talked to Jane Elliott a few weeks ago, and Jane said, ‘Michael, a uterus doesn’t qualify you to be president of the United States. You have to be — you have to have policy that’s reflective of social justice.’
As someone who admittedly doesn’t follow the campaign that closely, I can’t really see what was that bad about what Mike said. But people within the Clinton campaign are jumping on it as an example of the Sanders camp’s sexism. As Pitchfork points out, the leader of a pro-Clinton super-Pac was among those condemning Mike:
Like their hasn't been enough sexist bullshit on this campaign – now this from @BernieSanders camp. https://t.co/3Uq36QQAat
— Brad Woodhouse (@woodhouseb) February 17, 2016
If the Clinton camp really think that’s bad, I can’t imagine what’s going to happen when someone plays them “Claremont Lounge.”
Since then, Mike has hopped on Twitter to defend himself and his comments. Here’s what he says:
So Women are being told to not vote Hillary is sex betrayal & Becuz another progressive woman says something disagreeing I'm sexist. Lmfao
— Killer Mike (@KillerMike) February 17, 2016
I wud gladly see Any one who can lead this country on behalf of the worker lead. Cynthia McKinney, Elizabeth Warren, Connie Rice. I'm ready
— Killer Mike (@KillerMike) February 17, 2016
But i don't and never will Hate or think less of woman. Sen. Nina Turner is my Next Great Political Champ but I'm sorry No HRC for me.
— Killer Mike (@KillerMike) February 17, 2016
No matter where #UterusGate takes us. I promise u umma fucking year into #RTJ3 the the viciousness of a Rhino Fulla Roids and Jammin Reagan
— Killer Mike (@KillerMike) February 17, 2016
Here’s video of Mike’s full speech, starting at the 32:52 mark:
This probably doesn’t make sense, but I’m weirdly proud to see Killer Kill from the Ville getting his very own minor campaign flap.