10 Black Celebrities Who Have Used Their Platform for Good
By: Kayla Pasacreta
2020 has absolutely been the year of cancel culture. In the wake of George Floyd protests, any celebrities who weren’t smart enough to run their tweets by their PR team or decided to speak down on the movement were immediately canceled, chile.
Evelyn Woodsen, a social media commentator, even took to Twitter to make a lengthy thread of some celebrities that need to be cancelled.
Before we get into this, let’s put a disclaimer out there. Black celebrities are not obligated to speak on Black issues, but we ARE obligated to reconsider our support for celebrities who choose not to utilize their mega platforms when their community around them is begging for change. I do also realize that celebrity statements have largely made the movement “trendy”; a cute hashtag to align with while not actually investing real coins or solidarity with the movement. That being said, let’s take a look at some Black celebrities who made great statements (in no particular order) and put their money where their mouth is.
Lil Baby
Atlanta rapper Lil Baby, whose real name is Dominique Jones, is honestly not who I was expecting to emerge as a voice within the movement. Last Friday, Baby dropped a music video called “The Bigger Picture” that shared a potent political message.
I can’t lie like I don’t rap about killing and dope, but I’m telling my youngins to vote
I did what I did ‘cause I didn’t have no choice or no hope, I was forced to just jump in and go
This bullshit is all that we know, but it’s time for a change
Got time to be serious, no time for no games
We ain’t takin’ no more, let us go from them chains
God bless they souls, every one of them names
It’s bigger than black and white
It’s a problem with the whole way of life
It can’t change overnight
But we gotta start somewhere
Might as well gon’ ‘head start here
We done had a hell of a year
I’ma make it count while I’m here
God is the only man I fear
— Lil Baby
The visuals highlighted the movement going on across the country, the song’s lyrics addressed how we’re all feeling, and the proceeds from the song are going to the Black Lives Matter movement, Breonna Taylor’s legal team, and National Association of Black Journalists.
And tbh, the song gets real about social justice and issa bop at the same time.
2. Beyoncé
The question is never if Beyoncé will speak up, the question is always when. Now, my good sis took her time but she ultimately sent a letter to the Kentucky Attorney General demanding justice for Breonna Taylor. I’m sure Bey is doing some more work behind the scenes, but we’re all here for what she’s publicly done so far.
Excerpt from Beyoncé’s open letter
3. Lebron James
One thing that you have to appreciate about Lebron is that he’s always going to keep it real. While other celebrities spend time crafting the perfect statement, Lebron quickly uses social media to chime in a raw and meaningful way. He is consistently one of the, if not the most vocal athlete in his profession.
Last week, James launched a voting rights group after witnessing voter suppression in Georgia.
He continues to use his social media platform to advocate for justice
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4. John Boyega
If you don’t know about John Boyega, familiarize yourself now! The Star Wars actor has been at Black Lives Matter protests and is using his Twitter to call out racist Star Wars fans.
Boyega at a protest last week, photo via Getty
Here’s an excerpt from a powerful speech he made last his week:
Today is about innocent people who were halfway through their process. We don’t know what George Floyd could have achieved, we don’t know what Sandra Bland could have achieved, but today we’re going to make sure that won’t be an alien thought to our young ones. I need you to understand how painful this shit is. I need you to understand how painful it is to be reminded every day that your race means nothing and that isn’t the case any more, that was never the case any more.
— John Boyega
And he’s here to remind y’all that he said what he said!
5. J. Cole
Make no mistake, J. Cole has always been a conscious rapper. In 2014, he released the single Be Free in response to the Mike Brown protests across the country. While Jermaine isn’t about the social media activism, you can find him in the place where it matters most: the frontlines.
6. Rihanna
Photo via Getty Images
Even though Ms. Bad Gal Riri essentially stopped making music to focus on her beauty and lingerie ventures, you can also count on her to use her voice. In solidarity of #BlackOutTuesday, she shut down sales on all three of her Fenty brands. ‘We ain't buying sh*t!!! and we ain't selling sh*t neither!! gang gang! #BLACKOUTTUESDAY AF!!!
FENTY also put out a statement on their choice to support the movement: ‘FENTY as a brand was created to elevate beauty, power and freedom! At this very moment racists are attempting to rip those values away from Black people and we will NOT stand by and let that happen. We are too powerful, creative and resilient. In support of the Black community, we will be donating funds to Color of Change and Movement for Black Lives. We ask you to speak up, stand up, and pull up against racism and discrimination in all forms.’
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7. The Weeknd
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The Canadian rapper used his platform to speak on the injustice going on across the country, and even shared a $500,000 donation split between 3 charities: Colin Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Campaign, Black Lives Matter, and the National Bail-out Fund.
8. Kyrie Irving
Not only is Kyrie Irving speaking out about the death of George Floyd, he’s also mobilizing other NBA players to sit out this season to ensure that NBA season won’t distract from the Black Lives Matter movement. Last week, he hosted a call with over 80 NBA players to urge them to consider boycotting this season.
9. Megan thee Stallion
Megan at a Los Angeles protest
The hot girl herself has used her social media to call for justice for George Floyd, donated $10,000 to Houston’s bail-out fund, and also brought attention to the need to always protect Black trans women. Last Sunday, she joined thousands to participate in a Los Angeles BLM protest. She also urged her followers to consider pursuing a higher education “Although school is not for everyone, do not let people discourage you from pursuing a higher education,” she wrote on Twitter. “We need the upcoming generation with better mindsets to become our next lawyers, judges, doctors, etc. We need GOOD people with real morals and values in high places.”
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10. Colin Kaepernick
It goes without saying that Colin Kaepernick is one of the main athletes/activists who put the movement for the justice on the map - even when it wasn’t so popular. Kaepernick, who was blackballed from the NFL for his peaceful protests, continues to put his money where his mouth is. Kap launched a fund to pay the legal fees for Minneapolis protestors.
If we didn’t mention one of your faves in this article, feel free to shout them out below!
