
Pro-Trump Christian rapper Kanye West took his criminal justice reform efforts to a whole new level this Friday by performing gospel-themed songs from his new album, “Jesus is King,” to an audience of jail inmates in Houston.
“Men in orange put their hands up and smiled as they watched the singer and his gaggle of dancers, wearing navy jail-like scrubs for the show,” the Houston Chronicle reported. “Looking down from the second tier, men pressed up against the glass as they listened to hits from his gospel-themed ‘Jesus is King’ album.”
But no worries, because the rapper performed for both the male and female inmates incarcerated at the Harris County Jail.
“After kicking off with one performance for more than 200 men at the 701 San Jacinto building, West ducked down into the underground tunnel and turned up in the main Baker Street jail to do a second show for a smaller crowd of women,” the Chronicle explained.
The jail complex is reportedly comprised of two sections.
Watch some of the performance below:
(Source: Harris County Sheriff’s Office)
The rapper performed at the jail while in town for an event scheduled to occur on Sunday at televangelist Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church. However, according to the Chronicle his stop at the jail had been a surprise, last-minute affair.
“Though the Lakewood visit has been in the works for a little longer, the jailhouse concerts came together at the last minute, after West’ people reached out to Sheriff Ed Gonzalez on Wednesday to ask whether the county’s top cop was down for a secret show. The sheriff agreed, promising to keep it on the down low and not tip off media in advance,” the Chronicle reported.
Once West arrived and the performances began, Sheriff Gonzalez and his top officials, including Harris County Sheriff’s Office Public Affairs Director Jason Spancer, were eager to share the exciting news with the whole world.
Observe:
On this date, @kanyewest visits @HCSOTexas jail system. “This is a mission, not a show”- Kanye
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) November 15, 2019
@kanyewest visited us today. I know he has a busy weekend in H-Town surrounding his visit to @lakewoodchurch, so appreciate him and his choir spending time with us. #HouNews pic.twitter.com/3e5s92WYY1
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) November 15, 2019
Say what you want about the man. But @kanyewest and his choir brought some light to people who needed it today at the Harris County Jail. pic.twitter.com/ornRlEldNP
— Jason Spencer (@JSpencer_HCSO) November 15, 2019
Took a quick selfie to document my #NoShaveNovember progress and got photo bombed by @kanyewest and @SheriffEd_HCSO. Had no idea they were back there. pic.twitter.com/ovzJAQ4XY1
— Jason Spencer (@JSpencer_HCSO) November 15, 2019
Of course, some might wonder, “How exactly does this impact criminal justice reform?”
In many ways, actually.
First, West provided motivation, inspiration and direction to the inmates, the vast majority of whom will presumably eventually be released back into society and be forced to figure out a way to survive in the real world without resorting to crime.
And Christian conservatives would argue that one way for them to reacclimate themselves with the real world would be via faith. Not only by embracing biblical teachings and maybe even signing up for Bible studies classes, but by also finding friendship and support from the church community.
Second, not that Sheriff Gonzalez didn’t already know this, but West at the very least helped highlight the importance of maintaining one’s humanity, even when one’s job is to cage suspected and/or convicted criminals.
“I’m a lifelong law enforcement officer. I started going to serve my community here in my hometown. But we need to be firm with crime. We want our community safe. Everybody does. But we don’t have to lose our humanity and compassion,” he can be heard saying to the inmates, his colleagues and West in the video up top.
Happening now: @kanyewest’s choir and production crew packing up outside the Harris County Jail. Both male and female inmates were treated to small concerts in advance of West’s @lakewoodchurch appearance this wknd. More via @KHOU: https://t.co/Mwv07kVTEM #khou11 #htownrush pic.twitter.com/BIsYSJojqy
— Jason Miles (@JMilesKHOU) November 15, 2019
The rapper’s performance Friday comes amid what appears to a Christian rebirth of sorts that’s been occurring in his heart and mind.
One of the early signs of it came in January, when he started the new year by broadcasting his support for President Donald Trump and proudly identifying himself as a Christian.
Look:
Trump all day
— ye (@kanyewest) January 1, 2019
Just so in 2019 you know where I stand
— ye (@kanyewest) January 1, 2019
We will change the world. God is on my side. I am a Christian. I am a tax payer. I am myself. God is with us.
— ye (@kanyewest) January 1, 2019
Love everyone Start the year clean Just be All love
— ye (@kanyewest) January 1, 2019
Free thought
— ye (@kanyewest) January 1, 2019
His new pro-Christian mentality then morphed into a nationwide (if not international) phenomenon when he released his first-ever Christian gospel/rap album late last month.
But not everybody has responded to his Christian rebirth with praise, elation and/or understanding. The radical far-left-wing commentators at The Daily Beast have instead chosen to respond by accusing the rapper of practicing “fake Christianity.”
Given that the left-wing site is essentially pro-everything that’s not Christian (homosexuality, transgenderism, promiscuity, etc.), it’s not clear whether any of its far-left commentators have any room to talk.
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