‘We’re getting killed every day’
The shooting death of two black men at the hands of police in a matter of days has led to an outcry in the U.S. from celebrities:
Beyoncé released one of the most powerful statements on the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile on her website Thursday, praying for “an end to this plague of injustice in our communities.”
John Legend tweeted: “We should not have to jump through hoops to prove black people shouldn’t be shot by police during routine traffic stops.”
And rapper Macklemore called on other white people to react: “The systematic oppression that enables a murder like this, will be corrected once white people care enough to change it.”
Here are more responses from the celebrity world:
“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 they ‘stop killing us.” — Beyoncé in a long post on her website that includes links to contact Congress.
“The assault on the black body in this country is as American as apple pie. It is time for a #CallToAction. Let’s prove #BlackLivesMatter.” — Nate Parker, actor and director of the upcoming The Birth of a Nation film. “My heart is broken for all of these suffering families. Something has to change. #AltonSterling #PhilandoCastile #StoptheViolence” — Reese Witherspoon on Twitter.
“In the interest of time, would ye noble patriots please provide a list of infractions punishable by spontaneous public execution? Thanks! … Upon receipt of this list, we’ll return to our quarters and study up, eager to enjoy freedoms of white mass murders. #LIFEHACK” — Actor Jesse Williams, on Twitter. “Don’t forget to set your clocks back 300 years tonight.” — A meme posted by Questlove of The Roots on Instagram.
“This is not acceptable. One more life taken. One more family heartbroken. Another fatherless child. Accountability. #PhilandoCastile” — Susan Sarandon on Twitter.
“I can’t keep calm I have a black son.” — A meme posted by actress Niecy Nash.
“Yo man, something ’s gotta give, bro, it just has to. … We’re getting killed every day. … This (expletive) is (expletive) horrible, and it needs to (expletive) stop.” — Singer Chris Brown, in an Instagram video.
“And now I come home to this ??????? !!!YES !!!!! We all NEED to see this OVER and OVER … because it’s REAL … And it’s happening NOW !!!! I’m sad and sadly not shocked. The gig is up and we need to fix it!!! My prayers to this man’s family.” — Empire producer Lee Daniels, posting a video of the Alton Sterling killing.
“Ppl have the ability to be outraged about failing to see the humanity of a GORILLA, but magically don’t have the ability to see our worth.” — Gabrielle Union on Twitter.
“Perhaps if we witness enough tragedy we will reflect on our shortcomings & make decisive change. #PhilandoCastile” — Adrian Grenier on Twitter.