Meek Mill has declared that the United States is in the midst of a mental health crisis, but wants people to stop looking at violence and crime through the prism of race.
Meek took to X on Wednesday (Sept. 10) responded to a video of a deadly shooting that took place in Philadelphia’s City Center Sept. 5.
“It’s a mental health crisis going on and they making it about race or color… this woman was killed downtown center city by a bum in Philly,” he wrote, resharing the clip of the shooting and explaining how he feels the two deadly attacks haven’t been covered evenly by news outlets and social media reactions. “Why is the white woman getting stabbed by a black man the only story running heavily .. violence is violence! Rip to them too!”
Trending on Billboard
He was comparing the City Center shooting in Philly, in which a suspect named John Kelly allegedly fired multiple shots into a woman following a dispute, against the killing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, who was stabbed by a Black man on the light rail in Charlotte, N.C., on Aug. 22. Decarlos Brown, the suspect in the stabbing, is charged with first-degree murder.
The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office downgraded the murder charges against Kelly to voluntary manslaughter on Tuesday (Sept. 9) after being presented with new evidence in the shooting death of 33-year-old Lauren Jardine, according to NBC10.
Meek Mill hasn’t been one to shy away from speaking about how growing up in poverty damaged his mental health. He has shared his experiences tracks such as “Traumatized,” and he’s continued to be a mental health advocate.
“Mental health awareness is very important amongst us from seeing so much on these phones,” he wrote to X in 2024. “Stay strong chin up chest out!”
If you or anyone you know is in need of mental health resources, reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Resources Administration for free, confidential support and information 24/7 at SAMHSA.gov or by calling 1-800-662-4357.
