Lizzo has shown her support for Black Lives Matter protesters in Minneapolis and across the United States following the death of George Floyd.
Taking to Instagram on Sunday night, the “Truth Hurts” singer wrote: “I wonder what would happen if all the big companies and celebrities who have showed support on social media came out and used their platform to let activists and protesters speak and be seen?
“I wonder what would happen if we allowed the outrage to have positive influence in our local government? What would happen if those in power defunded the police & dismantled their racist culture and corrupt power structures? Cities are burning, are you watching? I stand with Minneapolis. I believe in us. Change is gonna come.”
In the accompanying video, Lizzo explained: “Black people, this is your daily reminder that it is not your job to educate people on racism and white privilege. It is exhausting and if they don’t see it or believe it by now, they don’t want to.
“White people, this is your daily reminder that as long as you stay silent, you are part of the problem. I know you’re not racist but you have to be more than that, you have to be anti-racist. Speak up.
Thanking people for their “allyship and support”, she continued: “Protest is the beginning of progress, not the end of it. Now that the protesters have everyone’s attention, what are the next steps that we’re going to take to make sure that we’re actually moving forward and we don’t go back to this bulls***?
“Now’s the time. The world is standing still and waiting for action. Let’s make progress.”
Earlier in the weekend, Lizzo had sent a personal message to the people of Minneapolis, saying: “Minneapolis, I love you. I see you. I hear you. I see your truth. I know your heart. You’re good people, you are tired of being oppressed,” as well as warning against “plainclothes officers and non Black Lives Matters affiliated parties vandalizing and destroying properties and setting fires”.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Lizzo (@lizzobeeating) on
The singer also said that she was “100 per cent dedicated to helping rebuild Lake Street and rebuilding southside Minneapolis”, having lived and begun her music career in the Minnesota city back in 2011.
