With protests still being waged in many big cities across the US against police brutality and the killing of George Floyd, singer Kesha is now speaking out on the movement and the bigger picture in the days going forward.
And the Los Angeles native, 33, isn’t mincing her words when it comes to her thoughts, emotions, outrage, and the responsibility of each and every citizen, including herself, to influence change, especially during these uncertain times.
She specifically directed some of that responsibility squarely on the shoulders of President Donald Trump.
Using her voice: Kesha speaks out against ‘racist police brutality’ and the killing of George Floyd in a a passionate Instagram post
‘I never felt like it was my place to comment on the issue of racist police brutality, and that is part of the problem,’ the Rainbow star began in the lengthy caption of a photo of Floyd, the unarmed black man who died at the hands of a white police officer in Minneapolis as three of his colleagues looked on.
‘What is happening in this country right now is horrific. The murder of black people, because they are black, by law enforcement, or anyone else is a tragedy every time.’
Kesha (born Kesha Rose Sebert) then went on to clarify how she has never had to fear for her life just because of her skin color, which she called, ‘white privilege.’
Honest: ‘I never felt like it was my place to comment on the issue of racist police brutality, and that is part of the problem,’ Kesha (born Kesha Rose Sebert)said in her personal manifesto
‘Racism has never been okay, yet it is part of the history of this country, a sickening part,’ she added before placing some blame on America’s current Commander-In-Chief.
‘Racism is very much alive and fueled by a president who calls white supremacists ‘very fine people’ and then threatens protesters with being shot in a time when so many are suffering. It’s embarrassing, nauseating, and infuriating.’
The singer-songwriter then turned her thoughts to herself, and where she stands on race in America and complicity in the face of racism.
‘Being a white person, I know I will never understand how racism feels,’ she wrote.
‘I stand for equality and I can’t just be silent while the president encourages violence and does nothing to help heal people’s suffering but rather makes it worse.’
Placing blame on leadership: The singer-songwriter claimed acts of racism in recent times, and the racial divide, have been fueled, in part, by President Donald Trump; demonstrators continue to gather outside the White House
Taking responsibility: Kesha maintained each and every citizen, including herself, can make a difference in combating racism but speaking out and taking peaceful action
Kesha ended by emphatically declaring: ‘What is happening right now is bigger than a hashtag. Black lives matter. George Floyd matters. Spread LOVE not hate.’
About two hours after posting her personal manifesto regarding the death of George Floyd and police brutality as a whole, Kesha shared some words of wisdom from the face of the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 60s.
‘There comes a time when silence is betrayal,’ it read, which was one of the many impactful and prophetic statements from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Rallying call: The Los Angeles native also shared some words of wisdom from the face of the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 60s, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr
The fatal arrest of Floyd, 46, on May 25 happened after he allegedly attempted to use a $20 bill in a deli where an employee claimed to be counterfeit.
Police stated that he ‘physically resisted’ after being ordered to exit his vehicle, which has been disputed.
As seen in several videos, Officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on Floyd’s neck for a total of eight minutes and 46 seconds. All four officers at the scene were fired from the police department the following day.
On Friday, four days after Floyd was killed, Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter.
The other officers — Thomas K. Lane, Tou Thao, and J. Alexander Kueng — have not been charged with any crimes.
Spread love, not hate: Kesha ended by emphatically declaring: ‘What is happening right now is bigger than a hashtag. Black lives matter. George Floyd matters. Spread LOVE not hate’; this protest near the White House is among the many that are ongling in big cities across the US