4:43 PM PDT 7/8/2016 by Jennifer Konerman Jennifer Konerman
“These are just a few of the countless incidents of violent neglect, poor training and lack of accountability that clearly illustrate one thing: Black people are being disproportionally dehumanized and murdered, this must stop!”
Creed actor Michael B. Jordan has responded to recent police brutality and shootings on his Instagram account, pleading with the public that “this must stop.”
In a lengthy post in the caption, Jordan explains that he has spent this week “trying to process” the tragic events, including the recent shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile.
“I’m still looking for the words to express my pain,” he writes. “The fact is Alton Sterling and Philando Castile were not unfortunate accidents. These are just a few of the countless incidents of violent neglect, poor training and lack of accountability that clearly illustrate one thing: Black people are being disproportionally dehumanized and murdered, this must stop!”
The actor also touches on the police shootings at a protest in Dallas: “I care about the safety of my black brothers and sisters and my blue ones too. There are no adequate words for the fallen officers in Dallas.” Five police officers were killed and seven were wounded at a Dallas rally on Thursday to protest the recent shootings of black men.
He says the recent events hit “close to home. It could have easily been myself, my little brother, my dad, one of my friends, or any of us.” Jordan praises his mother, sister and “all my magical black women” who he says are the unsung heroes of tragic events like this week’s shootings, and he pleads with people to avoid violence as a solution to violence: “Violence is not the answer; it only begets more fear and violence. This is the time to unify; our communities, our churches and our homes. My mission is to channel my anger and energy – along with my love and hope for the future into actively finding solutions. Change will take all of us, we can no longer say or do…Nothing.”
The full Instagram post is below.
I’ve been trying to process all that has occurred in the last few days and I’m still looking for the words to express my pain. The fact is Alton Sterling and Philando Castile were not unfortunate accidents. These are just a few of the countless incidents of violent neglect, poor training and lack of accountability that clearly illustrate one thing: Black people are being disproportionally dehumanized and murdered, this must stop! I care about the safety of my black brothers and sisters and my blue ones too. There are no adequate words for the fallen officers in Dallas. From the bottom of my heart, I thank them for protecting the peaceful protestors, their courage and effort to support us is what we need more of. This hits close to home. It could have easily been myself, my little brother, my dad, one of my friends, or any of us. When one of us is murdered because a police officer is “afraid for their life”, it pains us – we feel it. In the wake of these senseless murders, our homes are forever broken; families are left to figure it out. I’m concerned about my mother, my sister, and all my magical black women that are left to pick up the pieces. Often they are not acknowledged or thanked for being on the front line fighting these battles for and with us, but know your continued strength, courage, and unwavering love and support gives us the strength to keep fighting. Finding solutions in these times of survival are seemingly hard to identify but we must continue to keep moving forward. Alternatively, violence is not the answer; it only begets more fear and violence. This is the time to unify; our communities, our churches and our homes. My mission is to channel my anger and energy – along with my love and hope for the future into actively finding solutions. Change will take all of us, we can no longer say or do…Nothing. “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.” -MLK
A photo posted by michaelbjordan (@michaelbjordan) on Jul 8, 2016 at 2:37pm PDT
Source: Hollywood Reporter – Top Story