By SEFISO HLONGWANE
On Thursday‚ a more politically engaged Beyoncé released a powerful statement in response to the deaths of the two black men‚ Alton Sterling and Philando Castile‚ killed by police in the US this week via her website and encouraged fans to “take a stand and demand” that “police stop killing us.”
“We don’t need sympathy‚” Beyoncé wrote in a post on her website titled “Freedom” after the protest song on Lemonade that features a fiery cameo from the rapper Kendrick Lamar. “We need everyone to respect our lives.”
She continued: “These robberies of lives make us feel helpless and hopeless but we have to believe that we are fighting for the rights of the next generation‚ for the next young men and women who believe in good.
“This is a human fight. No matter your race‚ gender or sexual orientation. This is a fight for anyone who feels marginalized‚ who is struggling for freedom and human rights.”
The note ends with a call to action: “While we pray for the families of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile‚ we will also pray for an end to this plague of injustice in our communities‚” the singer wrote. “Your voice will be heard.”
Beyoncé was joined by a host of local celebrities‚ including TV personalities Samkelo Ndlovu and Gail Mabalane‚ in expressing outrage at the latest police-related deaths of Anton and Philando.
Taking to Instagram‚ an impassioned Samkelo wrote: “Saw another victim of police brutality. I guess it does hit home more with the help of the immediacy of social media when incidents are recorded and reported. I’m in my feelings so much.”
“Last night was the last episode of roots and I wake up to another victim today following Alton Sterling. I have so many questions. I need to know how I can be the change I want. Because I’m ready.”
While Gail Mabalane echoed the same sentiment‚ also calling for change.
“We cannot get comfortable. Killing & hatred cannot become the norm. The world needs prayer!” she wrote alongside a snap‚ which simply reads: “God help us...”
Top celebrities speak out against police brutality in the US
On Thursday‚ a more politically engaged Beyoncé released a powerful statement in response to the deaths of the two black men‚ Alton Sterling and Philando Castile‚ killed by police in the US this week via her website and encouraged fans to “take a stand and demand” that “police stop killing us.”
“We don’t need sympathy‚” Beyoncé wrote in a post on her website titled “Freedom” after the protest song on Lemonade that features a fiery cameo from the rapper Kendrick Lamar. “We need everyone to respect our lives.”
She continued: “These robberies of lives make us feel helpless and hopeless but we have to believe that we are fighting for the rights of the next generation‚ for the next young men and women who believe in good.
“This is a human fight. No matter your race‚ gender or sexual orientation. This is a fight for anyone who feels marginalized‚ who is struggling for freedom and human rights.”
The note ends with a call to action: “While we pray for the families of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile‚ we will also pray for an end to this plague of injustice in our communities‚” the singer wrote. “Your voice will be heard.”
Beyoncé was joined by a host of local celebrities‚ including TV personalities Samkelo Ndlovu and Gail Mabalane‚ in expressing outrage at the latest police-related deaths of Anton and Philando.
Taking to Instagram‚ an impassioned Samkelo wrote: “Saw another victim of police brutality. I guess it does hit home more with the help of the immediacy of social media when incidents are recorded and reported. I’m in my feelings so much.”
“Last night was the last episode of roots and I wake up to another victim today following Alton Sterling. I have so many questions. I need to know how I can be the change I want. Because I’m ready.”
While Gail Mabalane echoed the same sentiment‚ also calling for change.
“We cannot get comfortable. Killing & hatred cannot become the norm. The world needs prayer!” she wrote alongside a snap‚ which simply reads: “God help us...”
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