Singer/actress Lady Gaga, has branded President Donald Trump a ‘racist fool’ in a lengthy statement addressing the death of George Floyd and the protests that have followed.
George Floyd, an unarmed and handcuffed black man, died after being arrested by police for alleged use of counterfeit currency with footage showing police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on his neck as he struggled to breathe and eventually died.
Chauvin was arrested Friday on suspicion of third-degree murder.
Reacting to the death of George Floyd and the protests that followed thereafter, Lady Gaga hit out at the President for what she described as ‘fueling racist activity’.
‘I have a lot of things to say about this, but the first thing I want to say is I’m afraid to say anything that will incite further anger, although that is precisely the emotion that’s justified,’ she posted Sunday on her Instagram and Twitter handles.
‘I do not wish to contribute to more violence, I wish to contribute to a solution. I am as outraged by the death of George Floyd as I have been by the deaths of exponentially too many black lives over hundreds of years that have been taken from us in this country as a result of systematic racism and the corrupt systems that support it
‘The voices of the black community have been silenced for too long and that silence has proven deadly time and time again. And no matter what they do to protest, they are still met with no compassion by the leaders that are meant to protect them.
Everyday people in America are racist, that’s a fact. ‘Right now is a critical time for the black community to be supported by all other communities so we can put a stop to something that is intrinsically wrong by the grace of God or whatever creator you do or do not believe in.’
Lady Gaga continued: ‘We have known for a long time that President Trump has failed. He holds the most powerful office in the world, yet offers nothing but ignorance and prejudice while black lives continue to be taken.
‘We have known he is a fool, and a racist, since he took office. He is fuelling a system that is already rooted in racism, and racist activity, and we can all see what is happening.
It’s time for a change. I urge people to speak gently to each other, speak with passion, inspiration, and impress the importance of this issue until the systems that keep us sick die, instead of people we love.’
She concluded: ‘We MUST show our love for the black community. As a white, privileged woman, I take an oath to stand by that. ‘We haven’t, as a privileged community, done enough to fight racism and stand up for those people who are being killed by it. ‘This isn’t justice. This is an epic tragedy that defines our country and has for a long time. I am sad. I am angry. And I will use the words that I can find to communicate what needs to change in as an effective and non-violent way as possible for me.’
