Rosa Clemente is a renowned activist and former 2008 Green Party Vice Presidential candidate who sat down with the team at Hard Knock Radio for their ongoing Hip Hop is 50 Series. During the interview, Clemente spoke candidly about her upbringing in the South Bronx and how she was first introduced to hip hop through her older siblings and cousins who took her to some of the early block parties and park jams.
Clemente also talked about her involvement in social justice and political causes and how she integrated these values with her participation in hip hop. She highlighted the vital role that hip hop played in bringing attention to the plight of political prisoners and amplifying the ideals laid out in the annual Black August celebrations. Additionally, she spoke about her work with the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, which she considers her political home, and her involvement in important projects like the Black August visits to Durban, South Africa, and Cuba.
The interview also touched on Clemente’s historic 2008 Vice Presidential run on the Green Party ticket with former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney. She discussed how they adopted many of the platforms that emerged from the 2004 and 2006 National Hip Hop Political Conventions in Newark, New Jersey, and Chicago. She also shared her experiences of campaigning and meeting people from all over the country and witnessing firsthand the economic and social struggles many people face.
Clemente concluded the interview by talking about the current political landscape and outlining important steps that those involved in hip hop should take to bring about true liberation for Black and Brown people. Overall, Clemente’s story is a testament to the power of hip hop and its ability to inspire social change and political action.
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