Country Stars Speak Out Against Racism And Violence

A Downtown Los Angeles Protest On May 28th (Photo: Matt Gush / Shutterstock.com)

Numerous Country artists took to social media over the weekend to protest last week’s killing of GEORGE FLOYD by a MINNEAPOLIS police officer, to speak out in support of the ensuing protests and against the looting and violence that followed in cities across the country, including NASHVILLE, and to express support for the black community.

Among those taking a strongly-worded public stance were stars DAN + SHAY, who wrote, “When the [FLOYD] news story began to break, so did our hearts. In fact, they shattered, for the family of GEORGE FLOYD, and for the black community as a whole. This is not the first time this has happened, but by God, please let it be the last… We as humans must come together to make a change. Racism and discrimination because of someone’s skin color is simply just wrong. Politics and other bullshit aside, we all have a giant responsibility to eliminate this issue, which has plagued our country for far too long… Please use your voice.”

THOMAS RHETT posted a Bible passage on INSTAGRAM, and wrote, “As the father of a black daughter and also two white daughters, I have struggled with what to say today. We have navigated forms of racism directly, and while there is mostly overwhelming support and love for our family, sometimes there is just the opposite. Because of that fear, it can be a lot easier to choose silence, but today I’m choosing to speak … When I witnessed the horrific murder of GEORGE and think about the mistreatment of other black men and women in AMERICA, I am heartbroken and angry. I get scared when I think about my daughters and what kind of world they will be growing up in and how my job as a father is to show them how to lead with love in the face of hate. To know their worth and value as not only women but human beings.”

He added, “if there is any question on where I stand let me be clear - I stand with you, I stand with GEORGE and his family and all those who have faced racism. I stand with my wife and my daughters. We will be fighting this fight for the rest of our lives. Rest in peace, GEORGE. We are not letting this go.”

See a sampling of the comments below from TIM MCGRAW, LADY ANTEBELLUM, OLD DOMINION, CHRIS YOUNG, MADDIE & TAE, INGRID ANDRESS, JIMMIE ALLEN and many more.

Nobody’s ever improved on the ideal that all are created equal and that we should love one another as we love ourselves…. pic.twitter.com/k0t7lIb8Z1

— thetimmcgraw (@TheTimMcGraw) May 31, 2020

As parents, it breaks our hearts knowing our children are living in a world where this level of hate exists, but we will raise them to lead with love, respect, compassion and a serving heart. We pray for peace and the wisdom to do just that. https://t.co/HHi5GftawU

— Lady Antebellum (@ladyantebellum) May 31, 2020

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As the father of a black daughter and also two white daughters- I have struggled with what to say today. We have navigated forms of racism directly and while there is mostly overwhelming support and love for our family, sometimes there is just the opposite. Because of that fear, it can be a lot easier to choose silence, but today I’m choosing to speak. I have no clue what it feels like to be profiled by authorities, treated negatively or have my life threatened because of the color of my skin. When I witnessed the horrific murder of George and think about the mistreatment of other black men and women in America, I am heartbroken and angry. I get scared when I think about my daughters and what kind of world they will be growing up in and how my JOB as a father is to show them how to lead with love in the face of hate. To know their worth and value as not only women but human beings. I have witnessed my black band and crew members on the road struggle at times with feeling safe because of the color of their skin. This is unacceptable. I don’t believe in hate. I believe in love. What happened to George was pure hate. We are all created by the same God. I pray for a change in heart of those hearts who have been overcome by hatred and hardened. I pray for a deeper understanding for myself and awareness of the experience of mistreatment that those of another skin color go through. I pray for the families of those who have lost their lives to violence or experienced trauma at the hand of racial oppression and injustice. What can we do? I ask myself this question everyday. We each have to be part of the solution and we have to continue to educate ourselves, continue to support both financially and with service those organizations doing good work in our communities to overcome injustice and hatred in our country. And if you’re like me, continue to pray. So if there is any question on where I stand let me be clear- I stand with you, I stand with George and his family and all those who have faced racism. I stand with my wife and my daughters. We will be fighting this fight for the rest of our lives. Rest In Peace, George. We are not letting this go.

A post shared by ThomasRhettAkins (@thomasrhettakins) on May 31, 2020 at 9:38am PDT

an update from our hearts... pic.twitter.com/zF19b8lb7s

— Dan + Shay (@DanAndShay) May 30, 2020

pic.twitter.com/QkYirR2UCy

— Darius Rucker (@dariusrucker) June 1, 2020

It’s been hard to find the words to adequately convey how outraged and sad I am. WHITE PEOPLE HAVE HAD IT SO FUCKING WRONG SINCE THE BEGINNING and I will do whatever I can I help break the DISGUSTING, damaging cycle racism and systemic privilege causes. I will not be a bystander.

— K A C E Y (@KaceyMusgraves) June 1, 2020

pic.twitter.com/EiRxIq3vp2

— ChrisYoungMusic (@ChrisYoungMusic) May 31, 2020

Some thoughts this morning. Focus your hearts pic.twitter.com/pufOxYHKyo

— Old Dominion (@OldDominion) May 31, 2020

We will never see peace in this world until we ALL see each other as PEOPLE. We will never understand each other when you have people on 2 different sides. We have to become 1 to be at peace ☮ï¸Â ❤ï¸Â

— Kane Brown (@kanebrown) June 1, 2020

pls read and go to https://t.co/IOBUn8ysly pic.twitter.com/LjqNCTjFLe

— Ingrid Andress (@IngridAndress) May 29, 2020

this. #justiceforgeorgefloyd pic.twitter.com/9jIAlM8AxZ

— Maddie & Tae (@MaddieandTae) May 31, 2020

Got a lot on my head and heart tonight. I love y’all. pic.twitter.com/8jyOJEngHQ

— Travis Denning (@Travis_Denning) June 1, 2020

🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/ywt5GHridi

— Jimmie Allen (@JimmieAllen) May 30, 2020

Dear Hate...  pic.twitter.com/6sYEoXMnGK

— MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) May 31, 2020

#GeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/Qe9IeZcZ08

— Billy Ray Cyrus (@billyraycyrus) May 31, 2020

We must do better pic.twitter.com/VBGEzD6ZOo

— TENILLE ARTS (@TenilleArts) May 31, 2020

So sad that a conversation about equality and love has to turn into this. Violence is never the answer. ðŸÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ’”

— Lindsay Ell (@lindsayell) May 31, 2020

To all the people looting, please stop. Don’t take advantage of a time when people are suffering and hurting. There are people out here really trying to spark change. And the looting is absolutely disrespecting George Floyd’s death. Let’s honor him today. Spread truth in love.

— Mickey Guyton (@MickeyGuyton) May 31, 2020

and I want to take action to stand beside the black community who have and do everyday. I’m sending love to everybody hurting right now with a very heavy heart. And the belief that we can change things one person at a time. ðŸÂÂÂÂÂÂ’” pic.twitter.com/f6ooaUKN6Z

— Tenille Townes (@tenilletownes) June 1, 2020

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hate. It has caused a lot of problems in this world, but it has not solved one yet. Maya Angelou

A post shared by Karen Fairchild (@karenfairchild) on May 31, 2020 at 11:51am PDT

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The black community does not receive equal rights or protection in this country. Systemic inequality cannot be ignored and racism cannot be tolerated. We must do better in actively contributing to make our society a safer and more inclusive place to raise our families. In the meantime, Midland will be abstaining from any promotion or dialogue that distracts from the current issue our country needs to face head on. In an effort to clear communication channels we cede our small corner of the internet to the community leaders and individuals more suited than us to help educate and create change. As allies, we will contribute NOW, as patriots, We demand justice for George Floyd and all the other individuals who have suffered under an unjust system. -Midland

A post shared by Midland (@midland) on May 31, 2020 at 6:50pm PDT

« see more Net News