Representing Chicago to the fullest, NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler and Chance The Rapper grace the cover of ESPN: The Magazine’s forthcoming Entertainment Issue.
On shelves Friday (Feb. 17th), the two speak to Justin Tinsley on President Agent Orange’s recent tweet/threat to “send the Feds” to Chicago, using their status and respective platforms to galvanize the next great minds, and more.
Some choice excerpts:
ESPN: I don’t know if you saw the tweet from President Trump where he said he was going to send the feds into Chicago, citing violence. What does that say about this country, that we still view Chicago under that violence lens?
CHANCE: I hope he’s coming in to do some type of federal overturn of our state and city budgets in terms of schooling and housing. I’m tired of n—–s talkin’ about Chicago like it’s a Third World country. Like, that it’s not a place of booming business with a very successful downtown and all types of new development. It sounds like he was announcin’ he was going to war with Chicago. I don’t like to look at s— through that lens.
BUTLER: I just think it’s hard to relate to the people here if you can’t relate to them. If you keep throwin’ ’em in a category that they’re violent, no matter if they change or not, they’re still going to be in that category.
You go down there and you change people’s lives. You make them want to do better for the next person. And that’s when Chicago is going to be a beautiful place, and nobody’s comin’ here talkin’ about how bad it is like he said, like a Third World country. ’Cause that’s not it.
ESPN: What is your comfort level in terms of social activism? Do you think it’s fair that so much is placed on celebrities to speak out?
BUTLER: I don’t think it’s fair. But that’s life in general. You have to use your platform to inspire. You have to use your face, your voice, because it’s seen, it’s heard everywhere. Just like you’re there to entertain, to make great music, to score a basket. I think, at a certain point in time in your career, it’s gonna be your time to speak up on social matters that are goin’ on.
CHANCE: I totally agree. It’s important to go against the grain. My favorite celebrity, across arts and sports and everything, is Muhammad Ali. And he was famous for speaking inflammatory things that were polarizing but also were important to building who he was as a man and his legacy. And in the end, he was right about most of the s— he was talkin’ about.
The entire, lengthy interview can be read here. Their video interviews can be seen below as well.
