The recent killings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile by police has re-ignited outrage, sorrow and frustration among many Americans.
The untimely, unnecessary deaths of these men are sadly just new additions to the ever-growing list of black individuals whose lives were ended too soon by people in authority because of racism.
Despite potential controversy, celebrities are using their voices to try and make a difference and insist that #BlackLivesMatter.
1. Beyonce
“We are sick and tired of the killings of young men and women in our communities,” she began a post on her website, entitled simply “Freedom.” She went on to say, “It is up to us to take a stand and demand that they ‘stop killing us.’ We don’t need sympathy. We need everyone to respect our lives.” The singer urged fans to use their voices and take action by contacting their legislators and provided links to their websites.
2. Justin Timberlake
“Couldn’t even sleep last night… First #AltonSterling and then this video of #PhilandoCastile being brutally killed. This. Must. Stop,” Timberlake tweeted, adding, “This IS systemic. We MUST DO BETTER. My heart goes out to the families of #AltonSterling and #PhilandoCastile. May they both Rest In Peace.”
3. Kim Kardashian
“I want my children to grow up knowing that their lives matter. I do not ever want to have to teach my son to be scared of the police, or tell him that he has to watch his back because the people we are told to trust — the people who ‘protect and serve’ — may not be protecting and serving him because of the color of his skin,” Kim wrote on her website, concluding with, “Hashtags are not enough. This must end now.”
4. Pink
“To anyone that has an issue with me saying BLACK LIVES MATTER…. Please unfollow AS FAST AS YOU CAN. Also, BLACK LIVES MATTER,” Pink shared on Instagram, along with a number of other posts about the victims and the movement.
5. Tyga
Tyga shared the photo above to Instagram and wrote a lengthy invective that started, “Im no politician but I know right from wrong. What is it going take for innocent black people to stop being murdered by the police, we think this is bad if we don’t get out and vote and Donald Trump gets in office were really f**ked!! black lives matter!! all lives matter!! They don’t give a f**k if you innocent innocent innocent they’ll kill you and say you was guilty . there’s no justice being served.”
6. Drake
“It’s impossible to ignore that the relationship between black and brown communities and law enforcement remains as strained as it was decades ago. No one begins their life as a hashtag. Yet the trend of being reduced to one continues. This is real and I’m concerned. Concerned for the safety of my family, my friends and any human being that could fall victim to this pattern,” Drake wrote in an open letter on Instagram.