#JusticeForGeorgeFloyd: Celebrities Everywhere are Taking a Stand.
Watching George Floyd suffocate till death at the knee of a Minneapolis police officer was one of the most heartbreaking things that happened this week. His last words, “I can’t breathe”, can never be forgotten so easily.
Celebrities from Beyoncé, Cardi B, Lizzo, Jamie Foxx, Justin Bieber and Oprah Winfrey are speaking up, taking action against inequality, police brutality and taking a stand.
The horrifying story of Floyd’s death is sparking protests around America, and other countries around the world. Many stars are using their social media platforms to speak out and share their emotions about the incident.
Beyoncé urged her fans to sign several petitions to seek justice for Floyd in a rare Instagram statement Friday. She captioned the video:
“We need justice for George Floyd. We all witnessed his murder in broad daylight. We are broken and disgusted. We cannot normalize this pain,” the star said. “No more senseless killing of human beings. No more seeing people of colour less than human. We can no longer look away. George is all of our family in humanity. He’s our family because he’s a fellow American.”
She added that there have been “too many times that we’ve seen these violent killings and no consequences.”
Justin Bieber posted a video of the death of George Floyd on his Instagram. He wrote:
THIS MUST STOP
this makes me absolutely sick. This makes me angry this man DIED. This makes me sad. Racism is evil We need to use our voice! Please people. I’m sorry GEORGE FLOYD
Oprah is also speaking up. She wrote on Instagram:
I’ve been trying to process what can be said or heard in this moment. I haven’t been able to get the image of the knee on his neck out of my head. It’s there every morning when I rise and when I go through the ordinary duties of the day. While pouring coffee, lacing my shoes, and taking a breath, I think: He doesn’t get to do this.
And now the video from the other angle of two other officers pinning him down. My heart sinks even deeper.
His family and friends say he was a gentle giant. His death has now shown us he had a giant soul. If the largeness of a soul is determined by its sphere of influence, George Floyd is a Mighty soul.
GeorgeFloyd: We speak your name. But this time we will not let your name be just a hashtag. Your spirit is lifted by the cries of all of us who call for justice in your name!
Rihanna shared a photo of George Floyd on Instagram, with the caption:
For the last few days, the magnitude of devastation, anger, sadness I’ve felt has been overwhelming to say the least! Watching my people get murdered and lynched day after day pushed me to a heavy place in my heart! To the point of staying away from socials, just to avoid hearing the blood curdling agony in George Floyd’s voice again, begging over and over for his life!!!
The look of enticement, the pure joy and climax on the face of this bigot, murderer, thug, pig, bum, Derek Chauvin, haunts me!! I can’t shake this! I can’t get over an ambulance pulling up to an arrest, a paramedic checking a pulse without removing the very thing that’s hindering it! Is this that fucking normal??? If intentional MURDER is the fit consequence for “drugs” or “resisting arrest”….then what’s the fit consequence for MURDER???! #GeorgeFloyd #AhmaudArbery #BreonnaTaylor
Cardi B took to her various social media accounts to call for a boycott in retaliation to police brutality against George Floyd. She wrote:
Enough is enough! What will it take ? A civil war ? A new president? Violent riots ? It’s tired ! I’m tired ! The country is tired !You don’t put fear in people when you do this you just show how coward YOU ARE ! And how America is really not the land of the free !
Madonna posted a video of the horrifying moment Floyd was suffocated.
Watching this Cop suffocate George Floyd
with his knee on his neck, handcuffed and helpless, crying for his life with his face in the street is the most sickening, heartbreaking thing ive seen in a long time. This Officer knew he was being filmed and murdered him with arrogance and Pride.
This has to stop!! Until we can over come Racism in America— no one should be allowed to carry a gun. Most of all cops.
God Bless you George Floyd Im so sorry for you and your family. And all the senseless killings that have gone before you. Will it ever end? 🙏🏼 I pray to GOD it does one day.
Until then—Fuck The Police!
Yea I said it. Im not interested in being PC. Im interested in Justice.
@shaunking #georgefloyd #justice #guncontrol
Jamie Foxx joined community leaders and social justice activists in Minneapolis.
“We’re not afraid to stand. We’re not afraid of the moment,” Foxx said during a press conference at Minneapolis’ City Hall Friday. “To watch this man plead for his life as I sit with my two daughters, my nephews who had just come from the grocery store.”
He continued: “I’m not a celebrity, I’m from Terrell, Texas. These are my brothers. This means everything because at the end of the day when we see you guys out here on the front lines, we want to let you know you’ve got support.”
Jamie Foxx joins social justice advocates in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in solidarity over the death of George Floyd: “All I wanted to do is let you know that we’re not afraid to stand…we’re not afraid of the moment.” https://t.co/elUVBZ8dWy pic.twitter.com/StA6R7mH2u
— ABC News (@ABC) May 29, 2020
Nick Cannon was also protesting the death of Floyd in Minneapolis.He posted two photos of himself on Instagram in a hoodie reading “Please I can’t breathe,” in all caps. “Stop Killing Us! #Frontline,” he captioned the first photo, which shows a mask-wearing Cannon leaning against a stop sign in front armed police officers and military.
The second shows Cannon holding an image of Floyd. He accompanied the photo with the hashtag “#JusticeForFloyd.”
Mariah Carey
Reese Witherspoon
View this post on Instagram
Last night at dinner, my 7-year-old asked why all the grown ups were so upset. We spoke to him about what happened to George Floyd. Being a white mother trying to explain racism and bigotry to her white son, who did not understand why anyone would treat another human being that way, was heartbreaking. But not nearly as heartbreaking as being a victim of one of these senseless, violent, unconscionable crimes. Not nearly as heartbreaking as being one of the families who have experienced loss and harassment and discrimination daily. Not nearly as heartbreaking as being a mother who lives in fear of what will happen to her children in this world. I grew up going to church. We were taught that we were all the same in the eyes of God. We all breathe the same air. We all bleed the same blood. But that is not what I grew up seeing. It was as hard for me to reconcile the difference between what I was taught in church and what I see in the world. I don’t want that for my kids. Or for yours. We have to be held accountable for what is happening in this country. What happened to George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery – and countless others – can not go without justice. Please talk to your children about racism, privilege, bigotry and hate. If you aren’t talking to them, someone else is. Regarding comments: I urge you to share this space for meaningful discussion, not hate. There is enough hate in the world. I hope this can be a space for discussion, understanding, growth and LOVE. We all need more of that.
A post shared by Reese Witherspoon (@reesewitherspoon) on May 28, 2020 at 1:13pm PDT
Kylie Jenner
Naomi Campbell
Lady Gaga
My heart breaks for George Floyd, his family and for the people in Minneapolis. Murder is murder. Cops are also citizens, the same rules should apply to them. This is absolutely horrific and if the mayor and DA do not step up it sets a poor example for this entire country. pic.twitter.com/WA5VJGGhE2
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) May 28, 2020
US President, Donald J. Trump Declares June 2020 as African-American Music Appreciation month.
In a recent speech by the US President Donald J Trump, June has been declared as African-American Music Appreciation Month.
The lyrics and melodies of African-American music have played a powerful role in defining America’s unique soundscape. From the soulful streets of the Big donald trump official photoEasy to the recording studios of Los Angeles, African-American music has shaped our American culture. During African-American Music Appreciation Month, we pay tribute to the monumental achievements of African‑American artists who pioneered and evolved the blues, jazz, gospel, rock and roll, rap, hip-hop, and other iconic genres.
Throughout our Nation’s history, African-American music has expressed the pain and suffering brought on by injustice as well as the faith and joy of the resilient American spirit. Sam Cooke’s triumphant “A Change Is Gonna Come” gave wind to the sails of millions of African Americans in their righteous fight for equality during the Civil Rights Movement. The divine voice of Mahalia Jackson, the “Queen of Gospel,” helped heal our grieving Nation in the days following the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. At major sporting events, African-American musical icons, such as Whitney Houston and Ray Charles, have captivated America with striking renditions of patriotic ballads such as the National Anthem and “America the Beautiful.” This month, we lost the Architect of Rock and Roll, Richard Wayne Penniman — better known and beloved as Little Richard — who is responsible for breaking down racial barriers through the universal love of his music. He was an unforgettable entertainer, an innovator, and an American icon. Our Nation mourns his passing.
This month, we express our appreciation for the countless contributions of African-American singers, songwriters, and musicians, whose remarkable talents continue to inspire the soul of our Nation. With classic guitar riffs, memorable hymns, and uplifting beats, the works of African-American artists undeniably represent true musical excellence.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2020 as African-American Music Appreciation Month. I call upon public officials, educators, and all the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate activities and programs that raise awareness and appreciation of African-American music.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fourth.
DONALD J. TRUMP
Source: Office of the White House
Growing A Spiritual Edifice! Sinach covers Guardian Life Magazine
Gospel singer, Osinachi Joseph, popularly known as Sinach is the cover star for Guardian Life Magazine’s Latest Issue.
The gospel singer talks to the magazine about her music career, gospel music as a genre in a class of its own, achieving feats, being an instrument used to convey God’s message through her songs and much more.
Sinach says:
It is encouraging to see how my songs have become impactful in the lives of many who listen to me. “Way Maker” was written when I was facing a challenge and it became a source of encouragement.
A few weeks back, “Way Waker” topped the billboard USA for Christian songwriter for 7 weeks and now it’s 10 weeks. “I am grateful to God that more people are listening to the songs”, the star says. “It means that the good news is being spread and that is the most important of all”.
Read excerpts from the magazine:
Then, on May 22, 2020, Forbes published an article, “Michael W. Smith’s ‘Waymaker’ Becomes The Go-To Comfort Song In A Global Pandemic” sparking comments from people around the globe on intellectual theft. Out of the backlash arose hashtags such as #ProudofSinach, and resulted to a correction “Michael W. Smith’s Cover Of ‘Waymaker’ Becomes The Go-To Comfort Song In A Global Pandemic”.
On the redirection of the credit for her song “Way Maker”
Take the glory? What do you mean by ‘take the glory?’ [laughs] Look, it is a privilege to know that your work is bigger than your name so I don’t care about who is getting recognised as long as God is being praised, he takes the glory. I also have a management that handles all of my music. So for anyone to record my song, they must have gotten permission from my team, you know what I mean?
Recalling one of the memorable moments
In 2019, When I went to India, that’s Delhi in India [she is the first African gospel artiste to tour the nation], I was amazed at the thousands of people that were in attendance. Some came to me to say that my songs have inspired them. Even in Moscow, a lot of people reached out to say that they had changed because the songs had given them hope.
Kizz Daniel’s “King Of Love” EP is Set to Drop this Month
Kizz Daniel has made singing about love and romance look so easy with his unique voice, sensual appeal and the emotions he pens into his music, he has successfully carved a niche for himself as a lover boy.
His buoyant catalogue of love songs, attractive physic, and his unique sound has placed ‘Vado’ as he is fondly called, one of Nigeria’s artiste with the largest female fan base.
Vado paints his lyrics most times with his experience of being in love, how he was treated in a relationship as well as aspirational romance. His lyrical prowess and in-depth annotation of love scenes, and romantic conversation in his songs is still unmatched.
From his breakout hit “Woju” to songs like “Mama“, “Poko“, “Ikwe“, “One Ticket“, “4dayz“, not forgetting outstanding collaborations like “True“, “Jore” and “Loyal” goes to show that when it comes to singing about love, Kizz Daniel has worked his way to being the king of love songs in Africa.
With the “King of Love” album, Kizz Daniel is set to take fans on a unique romantic journey that would leave everyone asking for more. This body of work is quite special to Kizz Daniel as he recently got a tattoo with the album title on his arm
On the 25th of June 2020, we will wake up to the “King of Love” album and the 16-track album will answer everyone’s questions as to why Kizz Daniel is the ultimate ‘King of love’. The “King of Love” album will be released in volumes and available only on digital stores.
Source: Bellanaija
