As protests continue to take place nationwide in response to the death of #GeorgeFloyd who died at the hands of the police, hundreds of black entertainers are calling on cultural industries to cut ties with the police.
In a newly released statement, numerous celebrities joined forces to urge arts organizations to promote pay equity, Black leadership and learn more about black history, The Hollywood Reporter explains.
Joining forces to stand by the statement are Black authors, filmmakers, actors, artists and other cultural workers.
Their goal is to call on the industries they work in to disassociate from the police. They are also asking these industries to pay competitive wages to Black workers, promote Black leaders, etc.
Some of the many celebrities who have come together for the cause and signed their names to an artist’s statement include #GabrielleUnion, #SterlingKBrown, #CynthiaErivo, #AvaDuVernay, #BarryJenkins, #LenaWaithe, #TrevorNoah, #LeeDaniels, #NiecyNash, #ThandieNewton and more.
The collective deemed the Black Artists for Freedom creates for black workers in the culture industries, was launched on Juneteenth (June 19th, 2020).
The statement states the mission is to “amplify the movement’s work and to call out our own industries for what they are: institutions the promote colonialism, capitalism and racism, and that function in exploitative and destructive ways.”
The goal of the collective is also to “eliminate” racist stereotypes and representation of Black people, the outlet states.
With five main goals listed on the official statement, the collective plans to alter cultural industries by breaking ties with the police, having these industries “put their money where their mouths are,” having them speak up and “advocate for black people,” “get educated” on the history of systemic racism, and “imagine black freedom.”
To read the entire statement and remained list of signatories, go to blackartistsforfreedom.com.
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