Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift and Lizzo are amongst some of the famous faces who are using their platforms to elevate other voices of activists and educators in response to the global Black Lives Matter movement. Dipto Paul Reports.
Selena Gomez has used her platform to shine a spotlight on scholars, activists and historical events important within the anti-racism movement since the tragic death of George Floyd. She’s featured prominent voices such as; Alicia Garza, Jelani Cobb, Professor Ibram X. Kendi and Raquel Willis.
Taylor Swift has posted a series of posts to Instagram, explaining the histories behind individuals such as Edward Carmack and Nathan Bedford Forrest, whose monuments have been targeted as part of the ogoing anti-racism protests. Swift has used her platform to speak out against continuing a “cycle of hurt” by keeping them in place – arguing “you can’t change history, but you can change this.”
Lizzo has remained an incredibly vocal supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement, and has said via her Instagram: “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.”