Ice Cube Says Joe Biden Needs to Do 'Way More' for Black People to Get Their Vote
Rapper and actor Ice Cube once again responded to criticism directed at him for speaking out against former Vice President Joe Biden's presidential campaign, saying that there wasn't enough energy "spent on telling Biden/Harris they need to do way more for Black people" to shore up the vote.
A lot of energy being spent on telling me to stay in my lane. Zero energy spent on telling Biden/Harris they need to do way more for Black people to sure up the vote. Smh
— Ice Cube (@icecube) October 17, 2020
While Ice Cube hasn't really clarified what he feels Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris need to do to earn Black Americans' votes, he has promoted his Contract With Black America many times. He unveiled the "contract" in July, calling for politicians to sign. The CWBA calls for various efforts to help the Black community, like prison reform, removing federal statues, and more.
Ice Cube has responded to people who criticized him for questioning the Biden campaign. He responded to a tweet from comedian Von Decarlo that likened him to rapper Kanye West and Black conservative commentator Candace Owens.
Decarlo said Ice Cube was "sowing doubt and division." She had tweeted at the rapper, asking about the timing of his Biden criticism.
"Maybe it would've been better received after the election? The timing makes it appears as if you are attempting to help divide & conquer & ur [sic] too smart to have not thought that thru, so, WHY," she asked.
Don’t connect me with people I’m not working with. I have nothing to do with them. Far as timing, I never read your question but what would’ve been better timing for you? https://t.co/3XXLzk9MFr
— Ice Cube (@icecube) October 17, 2020
Ice Cube responded to Decarlo by asking what would've been a better timing to raise these questions and told her: "Don't connect me with people I'm not working with."
As previously reported, the former N.W.A. member came under fire when a campaign advisor for President Donald Trump shouted him out, saying he collaborated on a new "Platinum Plan" to help Black Americans. Ice Cube said on Twitter he hadn't endorsed anyone, but that he'd been approached by the Biden and Trump campaigns. He said that the Trump campaign had made changes to its plan after meeting with him.
The rapper had also released a video on social media on Sunday that expressed skepticism about all politicians, but specifically spoke about Biden. "Joe Biden, the Democrats, I believe they owe us. Will they do right by us at the end of the day? Who knows," he said.
The star also reiterated that he wasn't siding with either candidate during a CNN interview. "I'm not on team blue or team red," he said. "[Racial inequity is] not a Democrat problem, it's not for them to solve. It's not for the Republicans to solve. It's for both of them to solve."
Ice Cube's publicist did not respond to Newsweek's emailed request for comment in time for publication.
