Charleston shooting: Nas pens open letter on Instagram urging America to move forward

The rapper's post, which urges America to come together and work on a better future, has racked up over 25,000 likes on Instagram

US rapper Nas (Getty Images)

Nas has taken to Instagram to pen an open letter to America, urging the country to move forward in the wake of the horrific Charleston shooting which took place last week.

The rapper’s powerful post spelled out the need for the country to come together rather than remain divided over the mass shooting on June 17th.

“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,” he wrote. “We are supposed to stand for freedom & equal opportunity.”

He goes on to point out how black culture has become one of America’s biggest exports and a crucial part of the country’s identity, yet black citizens are constantly made to fear for their lives.

“I don’t have all the answers, not do I believe anyone does, but we need to have conversations around how to improve as a nation.”

He finishes by paying his respects to Crispus Attucks, an icon of the 18th century anti-slavery movement.

“We owe it to the past, present & future to come together and move this country in the right direction.”

His post follows fellow musicians Kanye West and Lupe Fiasco, who have both spoken out about the Charleston church murders, which saw six black women and three black men murdered by 21-year-old Dylan Roof.

Read the whole thing below:

“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. Now we've obviously progressed since the inception of this nation but we took our eye off the ball and it feels as though things are moving backwards. As a black man, I find it difficult to understand that our biggest export (our American culture) comes from us. 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. I don't have all the answers nor do I believe anyone does, but we need to have conversations around how to improve as a nation. How do we show any ounce of progress that keeps hope alive. This is too big of a problem to be solved overnight but there needs to be some questions answered to get things back on the track of righteousness. Amazing people died for this country. We owe it to the past, present & future to come together and move this country in the right direction. This is my home just like it is anyone else's. RIP CRISPUS ATTUCKS. FIRST MAN TO DIE IN AMERICA's FREEDOM WAR & HE WAS BLACK! GOD BLESS EVERY OUNCE OF INNOCENT BLOOD SHED FOR THIS NATION & MY FAMILY.”