Beyonce is currently in the middle of her Formation World Tour and she took a moment during her Glasgow concert to make sure her voice is heard – through more than just her incredible music. The message she wanted to be heard was one that became more necessary than ever after two lives were taken at the hands of police this week.
In the past 72 hours, the names and faces of both Alton Sterling and Philando Castile have been spread around the news and forms of social media after their lives were taken at the hands of police. Alton was shot outside of a convenient store and Philando was shot inside his car – both were shown on video filmed by bystanders in Alton’s case and in Philando’s – his own girlfriend, and they were painful. They were also not the first, nor the last, cases of unjust police brutality against African Americans. Beyonce took to Instagram with an encouraging statement that challenged people to use their voice, their anger, and their frustration and demand action.
Beyonce needed to make a statement and it began earlier today when she took to Instagram with a message that challenged people to use their voice, their anger, and their frustration to demand action.
Not only did she make a statement on Instagram, she led her fans to her website in which she made a bold call for action, one that’s long overdue. At the same time she got real, and said she doesn’t want sympathy, and neither do black communities – they want respect, they want to live.
Beyonce said words that, when you think about it, hurt to think are necessary to be said in this day and age, but are needed now more than ever.
It is up to us to take a stand and demand that they stop killing us.
During her concert, she used another platform to stand in solidarity with those who lost their lives due to police brutality and the communities that loved them.
"And countless others…"#FREEDOM pic.twitter.com/udrBHyTEpH
— BEYONCÉ LEGION (@BeyLegion) July 7, 2016
The names of lives lost to police brutality covered the screen, with a phrase at the bottom “and countless others”. She sang Freedom acapella in honor of the victims and emotions were at an all-time high. While the message is sobering, and even those not in attendance have felt it’s power, things won’t change until people take action, and Beyonce has made it easy for you to find out how.
In her statement, there is an option to click in and you are presented with a link to contact your Congressman or woman and to voice protest for both Alton and Philando. Please take the time to click these links and make your voice heard.