“I realize that my place and position in history is that I will go down as the voice of this generation”

-         Kanye West

Amen, I say to you, there shall be no sign given onto this generation”

-         Mark 8:13

***

There comes a time in each generation when a people cry out for a hero. Revolutionary war: George Washington. London Blitz: Winston Churchill. Economic collapse, global terror, two front war, AIDS and mortgage crisis foreclosing millions of homes: Kanye West.

Kanye joins a unique brotherhood (with the occasional sister) of social activists, politicians, religious leaders who have emerged amidst the chaos and injustice to give a voice to millions. His connection to these revolutionaries of generations past is evident in his strong rhetoric.

“And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” – Jesus of Nazareth

“That's why you always see me with at least one of my watches. Rollies and Pasha's done drove me crazy. I can't even pronounce nothing, pass that Versace.” -Kanye

“Capital as such is not evil; it is its wrong use that is evil. Capital in some form or other will always be needed.”      – Gandhi

“These ain't conflict diamonds, is they Jacob?” – Kanye

“I think the girl who is able to earn her own living and pay her own way should be as happy as anybody on earth. The sense of independence and security is very sweet.” – Susan B Anthony

And ladies if you follow these instructions exactly, You might bear to pull you a rapper, a NBA player, Man, at least a dude wit' a car, So first of all we gon' work on the stomach. Nobody wants a little tight-ass! – Kanye

“We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people.” –MLK

“We go through too much bullshit just to mess with these drunk and hot girls.” - Kanye

So as we continue on into turbulent waters, let us give thanks that we have found our voice, that we have found a bright and shining beacon of truth in the darkness of tomorrow. And let us hope that history remembers us as a generation who stood up, in times of great uncertain, and in one voice proudly proclaimed, “George Bush doesn’t care about black people!”