Nas Pens Open Letter on Race, American Culture on Instagram After Charleston Shootings

Following the murders in Charleston last week, Nas is speaking out, asking his fellow countrymen to move this country forward and not backward. Saying that American culture is the nation's biggest export, the New York born and bred rapper is calling for people to unite instead of divide as racial tensions escalate.

"America has spent so much time, money & resources fighting wars abroad and completely fell asleep at the wheel of the war brewing within our cities, neighborhoods & blocks. We are supposed to stand for freedom & equal opportunity. That's supposed to mean MORE than just words but the actions of late just don't speak to what we are supposed to stand for. This is BIGGER than BLACK and WHITE. This is about America selling a false dream," he wrote.

Citing the major influence of hip-hop and African-Americans in U.S. culture, Nas seemed bewildered that black people cannot be afforded the same protection and rights under the law. "As a black man, I find it difficult to understand that our biggest export (our American culture) comes from us," he said. "The people in the streets... The way the world dresses, talks, what they listen to, what they watch... That all comes from us. How can we be the ones responsible for America's biggest export & fear for our lives like we shouldn't belong here."

Though Nas doesn't pretend to have the answers, he wants a dialogue on how to improve the country in order to honor those who fought and died for American freedoms.

Read his full, passionate note below:

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