Many celebrities and people in the media’s spotlight have had roles to play in the current Black Lives Matter movement. Using their talents and platforms, many celebrities have spoken out to educate and spark the change that is so long overdue in our society.
It is widely recognised that part of changing the inequality and discrimination experienced by black people is for white people and those in power and control in society to recognise and accept their privilege and use it to make change, amplifying- but never suppressing or shouting over- the voices of black people. It is our job to listen to those who share their stories, support and what they are doing to create change for us.
Stormzy (Michael Ebenazer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr.) is known for standing for equality and injustice in the community. In his iconic and celebrated performance at the BRIT awards 2018 where Stormzy won the awards for British Male Solo Artist and Album (for 'Gang Signs & Prayer'), Stormzy called out Theresa May (the then Prime Minister) on the government’s lack of justice and sympathy with the victims of the Grenfell tragedy in 2017, saying ‘Yo, Theresa May, where’s the money for Grenfell?’ adding that the government “just forgot about Grenfell, you criminals, and you got the cheek to call us savages, you should do some jail time, you should pay some damages, we should burn your house down and see if you can manage this.”
More recently, for racial inequality, Stormzy has attended recent protests in London and pledged to donate £10 million over the next ten years to BLM charities and causes around the world.
The rapper said in a statement: “the uncomfortable truth that our country continuously fails to recognise and admit is that black people in the UK have been at a constant disadvantage in every aspect of life – simply due to the colour of our skin. I’m lucky enough to be in the position I’m in and I’ve heard people often dismiss the idea of racism existing in Britain by saying, ‘If the country’s so racist how have you become a success?!’ And I reject that with this: I am not the UK’s shining example of what supposedly happens when a black person works hard. There are millions of us. We are not far and few. We have to fight against the odds of a racist system stacked against us and designed for us to fail from before we are even born. Black people have been playing on an uneven field for far too long and this pledge is a continuation in the fight to finally try and even it.”
In 2018, he announced scholarships for two black students attending Cambridge university, expanding the scheme with two more in 2019. He and black YouTube influencer Courtney Daniella were credited with helping boost the number of black applicants inquiring about its courses, with an almost 50% increase in admissions between 2018 and 2019.
At the time, there was some opposition to this, claiming that Stormzy’s actions were ‘anti-white’. This idea of reverse-racism doesn’t exist and these people were clearly just confused as to the reason behind Stormzy’s efforts. He responded to this, saying he wasn’t anit-white, he’s pro-black and this pretty much explains itself. You can’t be anti-white in a world that is so far from fair; by making any changes towards equality, trying to balance out our hateful society, shouldn’t this change be praised? As it has been commonly chorused in the protests: ‘All lives can’t matter until black lives matter’.
In this world where black people face discrimination every day for no reason, we have to say and repeat ‘Black Lives Matter!’
That year, he also launched #MerkyBooks, an imprint within Penguin Random House to publish writing “from underrepresented communities”. Malorie Blackman, Derek Owusu and Stormzy himself are among the writers on the roster.
Korean group BTS (the world’s biggest boy band) donated $1m to Black Lives Matter, with the donation later matched by fans via a crowdfunding initiative.
‘The Weeknd’, donated $500,000 across three organisations: Black Lives Matter, Know Your Rights Camp and National Bail Out. He added: “To my fellow respected industry partners and execs—no one profits off of black music more than the labels and streaming services. I urge you to go big and public with yours this week. It would mean the world to me and the community if you can join us.”
The R&B singer H.E.R. (Gabriella Wilson) released a beautiful and moving single ‘I Can’t Breathe’, inspired by the last words that George Floyd said before Derek Chauvin- a Minneapolis police officer- murdered him in late May.
Her song not only speaks for George Floyd and his story, but her story. She calls out racism and white privilege, drawing attention to the fact that white people must recognise and accept their privilege before equality can ever be reached.
Stormzy (Michael Ebenazer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr.) is known for standing for equality and injustice in the community. In his iconic and celebrated performance at the BRIT awards 2018 where Stormzy won the awards for British Male Solo Artist and Album (for 'Gang Signs & Prayer'), Stormzy called out Theresa May (the then Prime Minister) on the government’s lack of justice and sympathy with the victims of the Grenfell tragedy in 2017, saying ‘Yo, Theresa May, where’s the money for Grenfell?’ adding that the government “just forgot about Grenfell, you criminals, and you got the cheek to call us savages, you should do some jail time, you should pay some damages, we should burn your house down and see if you can manage this.”
More recently, for racial inequality, Stormzy has attended recent protests in London and pledged to donate £10 million over the next ten years to BLM charities and causes around the world.
The rapper said in a statement: “the uncomfortable truth that our country continuously fails to recognise and admit is that black people in the UK have been at a constant disadvantage in every aspect of life – simply due to the colour of our skin. I’m lucky enough to be in the position I’m in and I’ve heard people often dismiss the idea of racism existing in Britain by saying, ‘If the country’s so racist how have you become a success?!’ And I reject that with this: I am not the UK’s shining example of what supposedly happens when a black person works hard. There are millions of us. We are not far and few. We have to fight against the odds of a racist system stacked against us and designed for us to fail from before we are even born. Black people have been playing on an uneven field for far too long and this pledge is a continuation in the fight to finally try and even it.”
In 2018, he announced scholarships for two black students attending Cambridge university, expanding the scheme with two more in 2019. He and black YouTube influencer Courtney Daniella were credited with helping boost the number of black applicants inquiring about its courses, with an almost 50% increase in admissions between 2018 and 2019.
At the time, there was some opposition to this, claiming that Stormzy’s actions were ‘anti-white’. This idea of reverse-racism doesn’t exist and these people were clearly just confused as to the reason behind Stormzy’s efforts. He responded to this, saying he wasn’t anit-white, he’s pro-black and this pretty much explains itself. You can’t be anti-white in a world that is so far from fair; by making any changes towards equality, trying to balance out our hateful society, shouldn’t this change be praised? As it has been commonly chorused in the protests: ‘All lives can’t matter until black lives matter’.
In this world where black people face discrimination every day for no reason, we have to say and repeat ‘Black Lives Matter!’
That year, he also launched #MerkyBooks, an imprint within Penguin Random House to publish writing “from underrepresented communities”. Malorie Blackman, Derek Owusu and Stormzy himself are among the writers on the roster.
Korean group BTS (the world’s biggest boy band) donated $1m to Black Lives Matter, with the donation later matched by fans via a crowdfunding initiative.
‘The Weeknd’, donated $500,000 across three organisations: Black Lives Matter, Know Your Rights Camp and National Bail Out. He added: “To my fellow respected industry partners and execs—no one profits off of black music more than the labels and streaming services. I urge you to go big and public with yours this week. It would mean the world to me and the community if you can join us.”
The R&B singer H.E.R. (Gabriella Wilson) released a beautiful and moving single ‘I Can’t Breathe’, inspired by the last words that George Floyd said before Derek Chauvin- a Minneapolis police officer- murdered him in late May.
Her song not only speaks for George Floyd and his story, but her story. She calls out racism and white privilege, drawing attention to the fact that white people must recognise and accept their privilege before equality can ever be reached.
Its not just new songs that are being used; ‘Alright’ the song by Kendrick Lamar which was released in 2015 - among others - has become a symbol and part of the BLM protests around the world, including those in London. Singing this song of people fighting for change, fighting for their rights and an end to their oppression while marching with others who believe in justice makes you believe that change really is possible.
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