On what would have been George Floyd’s 47th (October 14) birthday, Karrueche Tran wrote a moving piece about equality for E Online.
It’s been five months since an officer knelt on George Floyd’s neck for almost nine minutes, leaving the country reeling amid protests against police brutality and racism. Tran said Floyd’s death “felt different” to her and she “wakes up with a sick feeling” in her stomach every morning.
“The video of George Floyd screaming for his mother, the protests, the looting, the countless footage of police brutality, I couldn’t believe what I was witnessing in real time,” Tran writes. “I started to question myself and the role I play in all of this, especially as a Black woman in entertainment. Why wasn’t I as enraged before? Why wasn’t I louder? Social media, the likes, the opportunities that have come my way, all of that has been a blessing, but what was the imprint that I’d like to leave in my lifetime?”
Tran believes that words are not enough and that real action is needed to effect and real change.
“When you put people of color and women in higher positions, hire more diverse teams, create programs and a work environment that make Black employees feel respected and safe, you are taking action,” she continues. “Shifting where we spend our money and supporting Black businesses and investing in Black communities is imperative.”
The Claws actress also called out Hollywood for its lack of diversity.
“Why is it that Black culture is the most influential in music, film and fashion, yet when I go on any set I rarely see Black directors, Black DPs or Black hair and makeup artists?” she questions. “I’ve read too many scripts about Black stories that are written from a white perspective.”
She implores Hollywood to change the Black narrative from always overcoming some adversity to a more positive story, featuring superhero characters, doctors, and bosses for example.
“We demand equality. I ask you to think beyond this moment and think about what can be done to end this cycle, for the next and future generations,” Tran concludes.
