Many country stars have posted on social media this week regarding the killing of George Floyd. Here are some of their comments.
Kane Brown: “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 difference sides. We have to become 1 to be at peace. I hate confrontation but this is the truth whether you wanna believe it or not …. any questions I’ll answer as many as I can.”
Tim McGraw: “Nobody’s ever improved on the ideal that all are created equal and that we should love one another as we love ourselves….I don’t know how it feels to be black in America. I don’t know how it feels to walk down the street at night and feel eyes of suspicion. I don’t know what it’s like to carry the worry for my child simply because they are black. I won’t pretend to. I believe that love, respect and understanding of each other is a light to guide our way. Our collective heart should break with every injustice brought to light. Our collective voices should be heard for each and every injustice brought to light, for there are many in the darkness. We must find a way to shine light on what is happening. Find a way to talk, Find a way to understand, Find a way to hold accountable those who won’t see, won’t understand and won’t love.”I wish I knew the answers. I’m just a man who loves his family. And wants this world, this country, this life to be experienced to the best of any child’s imagination and ability. Without regard to color, creed, religion or sexual orientation. It’s just time that we understand that your child feels and loves. My children feel and love. All children feel and love. Hate is observed and taught.”
Maren Morris: “I’m so sorry, George. The fact that your final moments were filmed is heartbreaking, but I just imagine if a civilian hadn’t had a camera on you, what would have transpired? You will not have died in vain.”
Darius Rucker: “2020 has already been heartbreaking. Now, here we are having to again face the truth of racism and the pain and frustration of the African American community. As an American, a father, a son, a brother, a singer, a man… I have faced racism my whole life, from kindergarten to the life I live today. Racism is not a born thing; it is a taught thing. It is not a strong belief; it is a weak belief. It is not a financial issue; it is a hatred issue. Over the course of my life, I guess I had just put it down to ‘that’s just the way it is.’ No, I know I had. It is no longer alright for me to perpetuate the myth that things are okay. I have kids whom I love and cherish, and to watch them go through this, to feel their anguish and anger trying to deal with this is heartbreaking for me. The question that keeps coming up is ‘will it ever change?’ And my answer now has to be ‘YES.'”
Lady Antebellum: 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.
Thomas Rhett: “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.”
“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.”
Kip Moore: “To the black community . . . I’m sorry that you’ve screamed for so long about feeling oppressed and it’s fallen on deaf ears. You matter. I hear you, I see you, and I have nothing but love for you.”
Kelsea Ballerini: “If you had to look away while watching the death of George Floyd, then say something, anything, say it’s wrong. Say it isn’t the world that you want to raise your children in. Say black lives matter. Because damnit, they do.”
Mickey Guyton: “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.”
Chris Young: “Racism is NOT something that should be ignored, and is something that should not exist. Sorry, but I can’t just stay silent on this.”
Ingrid Andress: “I implore you to educate yourself so you can start understanding why this is such an important movement.”
Jimmie Allen: “If we see it and it doesn’t bother us, we need to check our hearts. The continued non value of life towards black men in America, especially as a black man raising a black son. The uncertainty of his safety turns my stomach. I challenge everyone to love each other and let our hearts speak louder than the injustice. Love so hard that it suffocates the hate.”
Travis Denning: “I stand for my black brothers and sisters that are like family to me, and the black men and women I’ll never meet. I stand for all men and women to be treated equally.”
Maddie & Tae: “Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.”
Old Dominion: “I know we as people can find love and compassion for our neighbors who have been hurt.”
Tenille Townes: “I have sat down to find words over these past couple of days and I really don’t know what to say. But I keep speaking George Floyd’s name and I’m letting the sadness and hunger for change soak in every time I do.”
