7 Celebrities Who Fearlessly Support Black Lives Matter
The week of July 3, 2016 may go on to be looked at as a turning point in the history of the Black Lives Matter movement. With the death of Alton Sterling, immediately followed by the death of Philando Castile, immediately followed by the shooting of nearly a dozen Dallas police officers, it’s sure to be a time period we remember for quite a while.
With everything that happened, a line has been drawn in the sand and people have begun to choose which side they fall on. Some once-beloved celebrities and athletes have disappointed fans by showing support for the misinformed #AllLivesMatter campaign. But others have garnered even more praise for speaking out in support for #BlackLivesMatter.
Here’s a list of the celebrities and athletes who have come out recently to speak on what’s been happening across the country.
Carmelo Anthony
Basketball players have been the go-to role models and heroes for black youth for generations. So, seeing them speak out about issues that affect black youth is always inspiring.
Carmelo Anthony is the latest NBA player to come out, disregarding any risk that may come to his reputation, and not only supported Black Lives Matter, but called on other athletes to do the same for a greater cause.
Beyoncé and Jay Z
Beyoncé could’ve easily walked away from her halftime performance at the Super Bowl and treated that as her statement in support of black lives for a while. Especially with the criticism she received. [Not that that would’ve been the right thing to do. But she could’ve].
But, instead, she persisted and released a message on her website this past week that included the following:
“We are sick and tired of the killings of young men and women in our communities. It is up to us to take a stand and demand that they ‘stop killing us.”
To continue being the power couple they’ve shown themselves to be, Jay Z followed his wife’s lead and released his own statement about the black people constantly being put in danger by police. Except he did so with a song entitled “spiritual,” which he claims to have been working on since Mike Brown’s death in 2014.
Listen to the new song on Tidal.
Drake
https://www.instagram.com/p/BHim8QWjFTx/?hl=en
While he’s the long-standing king of mainstream hip-hop, Drake’s not known for being direct. On the contrary, he’s known for his vague subliminal messages. But when things get past a certain point – like they did last week – there comes a time where the direct approach is all that’s left.
Drake, the Toronto native, took to his Instagram to speak about how America is his second home but called out the clearly strained relationships between police and people of color, asking for much-needed improvements.
LeBron James
LeBron James already got major cool points for his protest against the killing of Eric Garner in 2014 by wearing a shirt that read, “I Can’t Breathe” during warm-ups. But he continues to use his influence to try and make the world a better place, which was put on display again recently with a handful of tweets about the recent news.
This article says it all man! Sickens me and I shed multiple tears about it all. https://t.co/Tsj9646QoT #ItNeedsToStop #BlackLivesMatter
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 8, 2016
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 8, 2016
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 8, 2016
Serena Williams
In London I have to wake up to this. He was black. Shot 4 times? When will something be done- no REALLY be done?!?! pic.twitter.com/OaLn60G6nm
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) July 7, 2016
After Serena Williams, the most dominant athlete in a generation, won yet another Grand Slam this past weekend, she stood before the audience at Wimbledon and the millions watching at home and held up a raised fist in celebration. It was a beautiful moment of solidarity and her taking the time out of her career achievement to do so gives it even more power.
T.I.
Mandatory Demonstration pic.twitter.com/u8GbvK6Mep
— T.I. (@Tip) July 9, 2016
Sending out lengthy Instagram quotes and brief Twitter statements is one thing. But going out onto the streets to actually march in solidarity with the people facing the same issues as you is another level of involvement. One that T.I. took part in in Atlanta after taking place in what he considered a “mandatory demonstration.”