From Takeoff to Coco: A Day of Contrasts

Yesterday was a day of contrasts. I woke up to news of death, violence, and division, and many hours later, I went to bed after having experienced excitement, pride, and unity. Let me explain . . .

The first news headline I saw yesterday morning read, “Rapper Takeoff Killed in Houston.” I gasped in disbelief because even though I don’t listen to their music, l—like most people—have heard of Migos. To be honest, I didn’t even know what Takeoff looked like before yesterday, but the news of his sudden death still shocked me because he was another young, black rapper who was shot and killed. And he was only 28.

You don’t have to be part of the hip-hop culture to know that it’s suffering. You don’t have to follow these musicians to understand that hearing “so-and-so rapper was killed” is becoming a very sad normalcy.

We have heard names like PnB Rock, Young Dolph, Pop Smoke, XXXTentacion, Nipsey Hussle and too many more after losing their lives to gun violence. In fact, CNN recently reported that one rapper has been killed every year since 2018. And popular magazine XXL has a current list of 91 rappers who have been murdered over the past 35 years. It’s a sobering reality that our nation’s current lack of gun control and increased violence undoubtedly means this number will continue to rise.

Police are still investigating Takeoff’s killing, but news outlets have reported that the rapper, who was a bystander, was shot after an altercation broke out in a crowd.

Division.

Violence.

Death.

Sadly, these things have seemed to become synonymous with not only hip-hop culture, but lately, America overall.

I continued reflecting on the sad state of our nation as I attended the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Finals yesterday evening. All throughout the day, many people had mourned Takeoff’s death and the harsh reality of gun violence that continues to affect so many lives. Yet, on that same day in a different setting, I watched many people unite in a common goal of cheering for one of our nation’s rising tennis stars, Coco Gauff. People of all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds clapped, cheered, and supported Coco during her singles match. I saw so many diverse people talking and laughing together as they enjoyed watching her compete. The focus wasn’t on differences but on the shared goal of supporting an American tennis player.

I cannot think of any other areas that unite people as much as sports and music. At concerts, you’ll see all types of people united by their love of an artist and their music. And when it comes to sports, your race, socioeconomic status, or where you live don’t matter. If you see someone wearing your team’s jersey, you’re automatically united as fans.

I had so much fun cheering on Coco last night! I felt a sense of pride and unity with people I didn’t even know because in that moment—even though it was just for a moment—we were all united in rooting for her.

Oh, how I wish our unity at music concerts and sporting events would carry over into our daily interactions with each other. I wish we could respect our differences instead of allowing them to divide us. I wish we could see past “self” and focus on the humanity that unites us.

I hate that we’ve witnessed another tragedy stemming from division and violence. I hate that we woke up to such terrible, yet uncommon news yesterday. But I am thankful that I experienced a complete contrast at the tennis match that night because it encouraged me.

Yes, division, violence, and death are an everyday part of this sinful world. But last night God reminded me that there is hope for unity among us all, and one day we will fully experience complete unity because of His son Jesus Christ.

So, until that day, I will keep praying.

I’ll keep praying for Takeoff’s family to be comforted as well as the families of all victims of gun violence.

I’ll keep praying our nation and world can be more unified and not allow the enemy’s spirit of division to separate us.

And I’ll pray that even when we experience contrasting days like yesterday, the Good News of Jesus Christ will outweigh any other headline we wake up to.