Why Azealia Banks Is Right About Iggy Azalea

Yes, Azealia Banks and Iggy Azalea are at it again; but, let's make one thing crystal clear: when Azealia Banks calls out Iggy, know that she is clapping back against imperialist white supremacist capitalist heteropatriarchy and the various ways in which it profits off of anti-blackness in media, art and life. The media will do its best to frame her as an "angry black woman" because that's what happens when black women choose to speak up in this country -- historically, and now; so, don't call her angry or reckless because she has a point. A point that is bigger than her and Iggy, which is clearly evident in Iggy's response to her via twitter.

Azealia Banks Interview With Hot 97

HOT 97 / Via YouTube

1. This is clearly Anti-Black

Special msg for banks: There are many black artists succeeding in all genres. The reason you haven't is because of your piss poor attitude.

— IGGY AZALEA (@IGGYAZALEA) December 19, 2014

"There are so many black artist succeeding in all genres" "You're not succeeding because of your piss poor attitude"

Instead of responding with some kind of acknowledgment of the ways in which her white privilege has afforded her the success she has today, Azalea would rather spew out tired respectability, anti-black rhetoric. This is trauma! And it sounds so eerily familiar. Black youth (and folks) are consistently told that their attitudes are holding them back from success and that's a lie, that's a lie, that's a lie! While it "could be" true in some instances, that's not it!

My Response:

2. She Called Azealia Dumb

you created your own unfortunate situation by being a bigot and don't have the mental capacity to realize yet. Probably never will.

— IGGY AZALEA (@IGGYAZALEA) December 19, 2014

Once again, Azalea is derailing. Saying a black person does not have "the mental capacity to realize" something is inherently racist. Iggy called her dumb. Simply stated. In fact, the truth is that Azealia Banks is brilliant beyond measure and her analysis is too rich for Azalea to even understand. Her light is too bright; but she, like all black youth, is being told that she does not have the mental capacity to understand what's happening because she's right and aware of structural and systemic oppression. They don't want us to know these things. As Azealia said in the interview, "They're trying to erase us!"

My Response:

3. She Said Azealia Tears Don't Matter

Now! rant, Make it racial! make it political! Make it whatever but I guarantee it won't make you likable & THATS why ur crying on the radio.

— IGGY AZALEA (@IGGYAZALEA) December 19, 2014

Not only is Azalea invalidating her tears, she's explicitly attempting to decentralize Azealia Banks truth and her analysis of anti-blackness, white supremacy, and capitalism. In another attempt to derail, she's now saying that all of those things does not matter, and that she guarantee it will not make her likable because she's a black woman speaking truth to power. Sounds familiar?

My Response:

4. She Said Azealia Is Relevant Because Of Her

Enjoy continuing to bang your head against that metaphoric brick wall & Savor this attention. I'm the only way you get ANY.

— IGGY AZALEA (@IGGYAZALEA) December 19, 2014

How many times have black women had to hear this from white women (and men). This is extremely violent at this point. And black folks -- who are attempting to be neutral -- should be careful about lifting Iggy Azalea up at this time because you're simply complicit in your own erasure. You are saying that your black life does not matter. This is bigger than Azealia Banks and anyone attempting to police the way she is communicating her feelings and rage.

My Response:

5. She Called Azealia Poisonous And Angry

You're poisonous and I feel genuinely sorry for you because it's obvious at this point you are a MISERABLE, angry human being. Regards!

— IGGY AZALEA (@IGGYAZALEA) December 19, 2014

Way to go, Iggy Azalea. You've officially showed us why Azealia Banks is right about you.

My (Final) Response: