“We live in a nation with a criminal justice system that is like a cancer on the souls of our country” said Senator Cory Booker speaking to the crowd at the Barclays Center last night for the fourth annual Tidal X show. Booker noted that America’s motto is “land of the free,” but one out every for incarcerated people in the world are here in the United States. He also pointed out that the U.S. has shockingly high rates of women in prison as well as “the vulnerable,” poor and drug addicted. Booker declared that you are treated better in the judicial system if you are rich and guilty than poor and innocent, admonishing the U.S. legal system for “the perpetuation of racial divide, overwhelmingly locking up Black and Brown people.” A sobering statistic was provided, stating that African Americans are 3.7 times more likely to be arrested than someone who is white. The politician told the crowd that there are more Black people in the United States under criminal supervision today than there were slaves in 1850.
CNN Van Jones followed shortly after with equally potent and eye opening words.
Jones told the Brooklyn spectators he was proud to be in the building but was also very “tired.”
“Too much violence, too many prisons,” he lamented. “I’m tired of going to funerals with young people in the caskets and gray haired people in the pews.” Jones added he was also tired of going to prisons and seeing geniuses and artists locked up “for stuff that rich folks do every day…” Jones later admonished the U.S. judicial system for having “women trying to give birth, shackled and beaten like animals.”
He then promised change.
“We are going to bring the horror of mass incarceration to an end,” the journalist declared. “We are done with it. Thank you Roc Nation and Tidal for standing up to these people.”
Jones divulged that Roc Nation and Tidal have raised over ten million dollars for criminal justice reform prior to tonight and all of the proceeds from the charity concert are going towards four organizations; Jones’ own Cut 50, Equal justice, The Innocent Project and Reform.
The heavy mood changed back to festive when Anderson .Paak, backed by the musical ensemble Free Nationals, came out for his single “Bubblin’.” After reaching back for his monster hit “Come Down,” the acclaimed Grammys winner brought out Too $hort for “Blow The Whistle.”
Nick Jonas kept the party going with “Right Now” and then preached reaching the “Levels” of his girl’s love. “I know we can get higher, there’s levels to your love” he belted out. Jonas then slowed the tempo, standing center stage on the mic in a stand on “Close.”
“Cause if I want you, then I want you babe,” he explained. “Ain’t going backwards, won’t ask for space. Cause space was just a word made up by someone who’s afraid to get to.”
Jonas’ ended on a high note with his finale “Jealous.”
